Botulinum toxin screening assays

ABSTRACT

Methods for detecting BoNT/A activity in a sample, methods for screening molecules able to compete with BoNT/A receptor binding, methods for reducing BoNT/A activity in a human and methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to FGFR3 to a governmental or regional regulatory authority.

This application is a divisional and claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/598,073, filed Aug. 17, 2006, a non-provisional patent application that claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/547,591 filed Feb. 24, 2004, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

All of the publications cited in this application are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The myorelaxant properties of Botulinum toxins (BoNTs) are being exploited in a wide variety of therapeutic and cosmetic applications, see e.g., William J. Lipham, COSMETIC AND CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF BOTULINUM TOXIN (Slack, Inc., 2004). For example, CoNTs therapies are proposed for treating dystonia, see e.g., Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Method for treating Dystonia with Botulinum Toxin C to G, U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,505 (Nov. 20, 2001); pain, see e.g., Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Method for Treating Pain by Peripheral Administration of a Neurotoxin, U.S. Pat. No. 6,464,986 (Oct. 15, 2002); muscle injuries, see e.g., Gregory F. Brooks, Methods for Treating Muscle Injuries, U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,319 (Jul. 23, 2002); cardiovascular diseases, see e.g., Gregory F. Brooks, Methods for Treating Cardiovascular Diseases with Botulinum Toxins, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0185860 (Oct. 2, 2003); neuropsychiatric disorders, see e.g., Steven Donovan, Therapeutic Treatments for Neuropsychiatric Disorders, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0211121 (Nov. 13, 2003); lower back pain, see e.g., Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Botulinum Toxin Therapy for Lower Back Pain, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0037852 (Feb. 26, 2004); as well as other neuromuscular disorders, see e.g., Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Multiple Botulinum Toxins for Treating Neuromuscular Disorders and Conditions, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2001/0021695 (Sep. 13, 2001); Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders and Conditions with Different Botulinum, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0010138 (Jan. 24, 2002); Kei Roger Aoki, et al., Use of Botulinum Toxins for Treating Various Disorders and Conditions and Associated Pain, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0013692 (Jan. 22, 2004). Additional proposed uses of BoNTs as biopharmaceutical neuromodulators has expanded to cover a wide variety of treatments targeting certain disorders that lack a neuromuscular basis. For example, the effects on the autonomic nervous system has allowed the development of a Botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT/A) therapy for treating axillary hyperhydrosis or sweating, and reports indicate BoNT/A may be an effective treatment for myofascial pain and tension, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, gastrointestinal motility disorders, urinary incontinence cancer and migraine headaches. Lastly, cosmetic and other therapeutic applications are widely known. In fact, the expected use of BoNTs in both therapeutic and cosmetic treatments of humans is anticipated to expand to an ever widening range of diseases and aliments that can benefit from the myorelaxant properties of these toxins.

The growing clinical and therapeutic use of botulinum toxins necessitates the pharmaceutical industry to use accurate assays for BoNT activity in order to, for example, ensure accurate pharmaceutical formulations and monitor established quality control standards. In addition, given the potential danger associated with small quantities of BoNT in foodstuffs, the food industry requires BoNT activity assays, for example, to validate new food packaging methods and to ensure food safety. Additionally, BoNT activity assays are useful in identifying modulators of BoNT activity, for example, modulators that reduce BoNT activity which can be useful as a toxin antidote and modulators that increase BoNT activity which can be useful in creating more potent or longer lasting pharmaceutical formulations. The present invention provides novel BoNT assays for detecting the presence or activity of a BoNT useful for various industries, such as, e.g. the pharmaceutical and food industries, and provides related advantages as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the current paradigm of the BoNT/A intoxication mechanism. This intoxication process can be described as comprising four steps: 1) receptor binding, where BoNT/A binds to a BoNT/A receptor system initiates the intoxication process; 2) complex internalization, where after BoNT/A binding, a vesicle containing a toxin/receptor system complex is endocytosised into the cell; 3) light chain translocation, where multiple events are thought to occur, including changes in the internal pH of the vesicle, formation of a channel pore comprising the H_(N) domain of BoNT/A heavy chain, separation of the BoNT/A light chain from the heavy chain, enzymatic activation of the light chain; and release of the activated light chain and 4) enzymatic target modification, where the activated light chain of BoNT/A proteolytically cleaves its target SNARE substrates, such as, e.g., SNAP-25.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of an FGFR3 and the alternatively spliced exons that result in FGFR3IIIb and FGFR3IIIc. The top diagram shows a generalized drawing of a FGFR3. The extracellular domain comprises a signal peptide (box labeled SP), three Ig-like domains (loops labeled IgI, IgII and IgIII) and an acid box (box labeled acid). A single membrane spanning region comprises the transmembrane domain (box labeled TM). The cytoplasmic portion of the receptor comprises the tyrosine kinase domain. The middle diagram shows a generalized drawing of the exons encoding a FGFR3IIIb isoform, where exon 9 is spliced out from the primary transcript during processing. The lower diagram shows a generalized drawing of the exons encoding a FGFR3IIIc isoform, where exon 8 is spliced out from the primary transcript during processing.

FIG. 3 shows the results of electroporation of PURE-A into HIT-T15 cells. FIG. 3 a shows the results of an inhibition of insulin release assay. The graph indicates that the addition of glucose to 25 mM induced insulin secretion from untreated cells (control) and cells subjected to electroporation without the addition of PURE-A (Electroporation No PURE-A). However, HIT-T15 cells into which PURE-A was introduced (Electroporation PURE-A) showed a decrease in insulin secretion from indicating these cells were unresponsive to induction of insulin secretion. FIG. 3 b shows the results of a SNAP-25 cleavage assay. Western blot analysis identified the presence of a BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product in PURE-A treated cells (Electroporation PURE-A), but not in either control (Control and Electroporation No PURE-A), with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product.

FIG. 4 shows the affects of electroporation of HIT-T15 cells over time. FIG. 4 a shows the results on an inhibition release for insulin assay demonstrating that the presence of the toxin delayed growth in HIT-T15 cells when compared to controls, but toxin-treated cells were able to replicate normally after a recovery period. FIG. 4 b shows a western blot analysis demonstrating that cleavage of SNAP-25 was detected at all time points tested when PURE-A was introduced into the cells, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product.

FIG. 5 shows HIT-T15 cells, transformed with a human brain cDNA library and selected using magnetic beads to which BONT/A had been bound. Individual colonies are visible in the dish and are surrounded by magnetic beads.

FIG. 6 shows the results of an assay of insulin release from HIT-T15 cells containing the putative BONT/A receptor. Cells were exposed to 1 nM PURE-A and assayed for inhibition of insulin release upon glucose stimulation.

FIG. 7 shows the analysis of two isolated HIT-T15 cell isolates C6 and C7. FIG. 7 a shows the reduction of insulin release in representative HIT-T15 transformants C6 and C7 upon incubation with BONT/A. FIG. 7 b shows a western blot analysis demonstrating that cleavage of SNAP-25 was detected in clones C6 and C7 incubated with BONT/A, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product.

FIG. 8 shows Western blot analysis identifying cells with high affinity uptake for a Clostridial toxin. FIG. 8 a shows a Western blot analysis used to identify cells capable of BoNT/A uptake. The blot shows five cell lines treated with 1 nM of PURE-A overnight, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25197 cleavage product. FIG. 8 b shows Western blot analysis used to evaluate the time necessary for BoNT/A uptake. The blots show either Neuro-2A cells or SH-SY5Y cells treated with 1 nM of PURE-A for various lengths of time, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product. FIG. 8 c shows a Western blot analysis used to evaluate the concentration range necessary of BoNT/A uptake. The blots show Neuro-2A cells treated with a range of PURE-A concentrations overnight, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product.

FIG. 9 shows Western blot analysis evaluating the effects of ganglioside treatments used to increase uptake of a botulinum toxin. FIG. 9 a shows a Western blot analysis evaluating the effects of ganglioside treatment on the uptake of BoNT/A. The blot shows Neuro-2A cells treated without or with 25 μg/mL of GT1b (− or +) and exposed overnight to three different concentrations of BoNT/A (12.5 μM, 25 μM or 50 μM), with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product. FIG. 9 b shows a Western blot analysis evaluating the effects of ganglioside treatment on the uptake of BoNT/E. The blot shows Neuro-2A cells treated with either 25 μg/mL of GT1b, GQ1b, GD1a, GD1b or GD3 and exposed for approximately 5 hours to 14 nM of BoNT/E di-chain, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody (SMI-81; Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.) that detects the uncleaved SNAP-25₂₀₆ substrate and the BoNT/E SNAP-25₁₈₀ cleavage product.

FIG. 10 shows the results of a crosslinking experiment in Neuro-2A cells using a BoNT/A-SBED toxin. FIG. 10 a shows the isolation of a complex of approximately 250 kDa from Neuro-2A cells containing the 150 kDa neurotoxin cross-linked to the putative BONT/A receptor. Bands were visualized with silver staining. FIG. 10 b shows a Western blot analysis used to identify a BoNT/A receptor. The blots shows the presence of a single band corresponding to the 97 kDa FGFR3 (first panel) and two bands corresponding to the 150 kDa BoNT/A holotoxin and the 100 kDa BoNT/A heavy chain (second panel), with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects either FGFR3 or BoNT/A.

FIG. 11 shows a Western blot analysis used to determine the presence of FGFRs in five different cell lines. Only antibodies selectively binding to FGFR3 detected bands that correlated with cell lines that contained a BoNT/A receptor.

FIG. 12 shows the results of a receptor competition experiment in Neuro-2a cells using PURE-A and FGF ligands. A western blot analysis shows that both FGF1 and FGF2 effectively competed with BoNT/A for binding to the BoNT/A receptor, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with antibody (SMI-81; Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.) that detects the uncleaved SNAP-25₂₀₆ substrate and the BoNT/E SNAP-25₁₈₀ cleavage product. The appearance of the uncleaved SNAP-25₂₀₆ substrate was detected when as little as 1 nM of FGF ligand was present and clearly visible when 5 nM of FGF ligands were present. Detectable levels of the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product was absent in FGF ligand treatments of 200 mM.

FIG. 13 shows the results FGFR3 phosphorylation studies in Neuro-2A cells. FIG. 13 a shows a Western blot analysis indicating the presence of phosphorylated FGFR3 after exposure to FGF2 or BoNT/A. The blot shows Neuro-2A cells treated with either 5 nM FGF2 or 5 nM PURE-A for various lengths of time, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects FGFR3. FIG. 13 b shows a Western blot analysis indicating the reduction of phosphorylated FGFR3 when exposed to increasing amounts of DMBI. The blot shows Neuro-2A cells treated with 5 nM FGF2 for 10 minutes, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects phosphorylated FGFR3. FIG. 13 c shows a Western blot analysis indicating the reduction of SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product when exposed to increasing amounts of DMBI. The blots show either Neuro-2A cells treated with 5 nM of PURE-A for 10 minutes, with equal amounts of protein loaded per lane and probed with an antibody that detects the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the identification of a cell surface receptor to which BoNT/A selectively binds as the first step to the selective intoxication of a neuron. The present specification, in part, discloses that the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) is useful as a BoNT receptor, such as, e.g., a BoNT/A receptor. In addition, the present disclosure identifies specific gangliosides which facilitate binding of a BoNT to a BoNT receptor and the internalization of these toxins within a neural cell., such as, e.g., an increased binding of BoNT/A for a BoNT/A receptor using a ganglioside like GT1b; and an increased binding of BoNT/E for a BoNT/E receptor using a ganglioside like GQ1b, GD1a, GD1b or GD3.

The present invention provides novel assays for detecting the presence or absence of an active BoNT/A. The novel methods disclosed in the present specification reduce the need for animal-based toxicity studies, yet serve to analyze multiple toxin functions, namely, binding and cellular uptake of toxin, translocation into the cell cytosol, and protease activity. As discussed further below, the novel methods of the present disclosure can be used to analyze crude and bulk samples as well as highly purified dichain toxins and formulated toxin products and further are amenable to automated high throughput assay formats.

Aspects of the present invention provide methods of detecting BoNT/A activity by contacting a sample to a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. Other aspects of the present invention provide methods of detecting BoNT/A activity by contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. Other aspects of the present invention provide methods of detecting BoNT/A activity by contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of reducing BoNT/A activity in a human comprising administering to said human a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule that selectively binds a FGFR3 wherein said selective binding reduces the ability of BoNT/A to bind to said FGFR3.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of screening for a molecule able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication by contacting said sample with a composition comprising an FGFR3 and detecting whether said molecule selectively binds said FGFR3, wherein selective binding of said molecule to said FGFR3 indicates that said molecule is able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, and wherein if said molecule is BoNT/A, said method does not comprise an LD₅₀ assay.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to the same FGFR3 as BoNT/A comprising obtaining marketing approval from a governmental or regional regulatory authority for a therapeutic neurotoxin, wherein said neurotoxin is assayed for selective binding to a cell comprising contacting said neurotoxin with a composition comprising a FGFR3 and detecting whether said neurotoxin selectively binds said FGFR3, wherein selective binding of said neurotoxin to said FGFR3 indicates that said neurotoxin is able to selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication and wherein if said molecule is BoNT/A, said method does not comprise an LD₅₀ assay; packaging said neurotoxin for sale in a manner consistent with the requirements of said regulatory authority, and selling said neurotoxin.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to the same FGFR3 as BoNT/A comprising obtaining marketing approval from a governmental or regional regulatory authority for a therapeutic neurotoxin, wherein said neurotoxin is assayed for selective binding to a cell comprising contacting said neurotoxin to a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity; packaging said neurotoxin for sale in a manner consistent with the requirements of said regulatory authority, and selling said neurotoxin.

BoNTs are each translated as a single chain polypeptide of approximately 150 kDa that is subsequently cleaved by proteolytic scission within a disulphide loop by bacterial or tissue proteases. This posttranslational processing yields a di-chain molecule comprising an approximately 50 kDa light chain (LC) and an approximately 100 kDa heavy chain (HC) held together by a single disulphide bond and noncovalent interactions. Each mature di-chain molecule comprises three functionally distinct domains: 1) an enzymatic domain located in the LC that includes a metalloprotease region containing a zinc-dependent endopeptidase activity which specifically targets core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus; 2) a translocation domain contained within the amino-terminal half of the HC (H_(N)) that facilitates release of the toxin from intracellular vesicles into the cytoplasm of the target cell; and 3) a binding domain found within the carboxy-terminal half of the HC (H_(C)) that determines the binding activity and binding specificity of the toxin to the receptor complex located at the surface of the target cell.

The binding, translocation and enzymatic activity of these three functional domains are all necessary for toxicity. While all details of this process are not yet precisely known, the overall cellular intoxication mechanism whereby BoNTs enter a neuron and inhibit neurotransmitter release is similar, regardless of type. Although the applicants have no wish to be limited by the following description, the intoxication mechanism can be described as comprising four steps: 1) receptor binding, 2) complex internalization, 3) light chain translocation, and 4) enzymatic target modification (see FIG. 1). The process is initiated when the H_(C) domain of a BoNT binds to BoNT-specific receptor complex located on the plasma membrane surface of a target cell. The binding specificity of a receptor complex is thought to be achieved, in part, by specific combinations of gangliosides and protein receptors that appear to distinctly comprise each BoNT/A receptor complex. Once bound, the BoNT/receptor complexes are internalized by endocytosis and the internalized vesicles are sorted to specific intracellular routes. The translocation step appears to be triggered by the acidification of the vesicle compartment. This process seems to initiate two important pH-dependent structural rearrangements that increase hydrophobicity and promote enzymatic activation of the toxin. Once activated, light chain endopeptidase of the toxin is released from the intracellular vesicle into the cytosol where it specifically targets one of three known core components of the neurotransmitter release apparatus. There of these core proteins, vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin, synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and Syntaxin, are necessary for synaptic vesicle docking and fusion at the nerve terminal and constitute members of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein-receptor (SNARE) family. The selective proteolysis of synaptic SNAREs accounts for the total block of neurotransmitter release caused by clostridial toxins in vivo. The SNARE protein targets of clostridial toxins are common to exocytosis in a variety of non-neuronal types; in these cells, as in neurons, light chain peptidase activity inhibits exocytosis, see, e.g., Yann Humeau et al., How Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins Block Neurotransmitter Release, 82(5) Biochimie. 427-446 (2000); Kathryn Turton et al., Botulinum and Tetanus Neurotoxins: Structure, Function and Therapeutic Utility, 27(11) Trends Biochem. Sci. 552-558. (2002); M. Zouhair Atassi, Basic and Therapeutic Aspects of Botulinum and Tetanus Toxins, (Dirk W. Dressler & Joseph J. Jankovic eds., 2003); Giovanna Lalli et al., The Journey of Tetanus and Botulinum Neurotoxins in Neurons, 11(9) Trends Microbiol. 431-437, (2003).

The three-dimensional crystal structures of BoNT/A indicate that the three functional domains of the toxin are structurally distinct, see e.g., Humeau et al., supra, (2000), Turton et al, supra, (2002); and Lalli et al., supra, (2003). The HEXXH consensus motif of the light chain forms the tetrahedral zinc binding pocket of the catalytic site located in a deep cleft on the protein surface that is accessible by a channel. This conserved zinc binding motif binds at least one zinc atom necessary for its catalytic function. The structure of the H_(N) and H_(C) domains consists primarily of β-sheet topologies that are linked by a single α-helix. The H_(N) domain comprises a β-barrel, jelly-roll fold that resembles the carbohydrate binding moiety found in lectins suggesting that this domain may recognize oligosaccharide-containing molecules and play a role in the intracellular sorting. In addition to its overall structural similarity with lectins, the H_(N) domain also contains two distinct structural features suggesting functions. First, the H_(N) domain contains a pair of long amphipathic helices that resemble the coiled-coil motif found in some viral proteins. In viruses, these helices assist in fusing the viral membrane to the cellular membrane of the host, suggesting that the coiled-coil region may assist in inserting the H_(N) domain into the membrane of an intracellular vesicle. Second, a long loop called the ‘translocation belt,’ wraps around a large negatively charged cleft of the light chain that blocks access of the zinc atom to the catalytic-binding pocket of active site. The H_(C) domain contains a ganglioside-binding site and a five residue ganglioside-binding motif. These regions adopt a modified β-trefoil fold structure which forms four distinct carbohydrate binding regions believed to mediate the binding to specific carbohydrate containing acceptor molecules on the cell surface. Consistent with this function, the H_(C) domain exhibits the highest sequence divergence between clostridial toxins which may account for the distinct binding properties and sorting schemes of TeNT and BoNTs. The H_(C) domain tilts away from the H_(N) domain exposing the surface loops and making them accessible for binding. No contact seems to occur between the light chain and the H_(C) domain. The N-terminus of the H_(C) region presents a jelly-roll architecture related to that of the S-lectins, a carbohydrate-binding family of proteins. By contrast, the C-terminus of H_(C) is in a pseudo threefold trefoil conformation that presents structural similarity to the sequentially unrelated interleukins-1α and 1β, Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors, as well as fibroblast growth factors (FGF). These proteins, mostly β-proteins, are involved in protein-protein interactions.

Cell surface gangliosides appear to be part of the receptor system for BoNT/A and appear to participate in binding of the toxin to its BoNT/A receptor. Although toxin binding is not strictly dependent on the presence of gangliosides, the presence of specific gangliosides appears to be required for high affinity binding. In particular, BoNTs have been observed to interact in vitro and in vivo with polysialogangliosides, especially those of the G1b series (GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b), see, e.g., Jane L. Halpern & Elaine A. Neale, Neurospecific binding, internalization, and retrograde axonal transport, 195 Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 221-241 (1995). Preincubation of the toxin with these gangliosides protects the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of mice from BoNT toxicity. High-affinity, trypsin-sensitive, BoNT-binding sites were found in isolated synaptosomes, see, e.g., R. S. Williams et al, Radioiodination of botulinum neurotoxin type A with retention of biological activity and its binding to brain synaptosomes. 131(2) Eur. J. Biochem. 1437-1445 (1983). Since lectins with high affinity for sialic acid antagonize the binding of BoNTs, their protein receptors may be glycoproteins. Receptors for BoNTs would direct them to acidic vesicles allowing the translocation of the LC into the cytosol of the neuron. The amino acid sequence at the C-terminus of H_(C) is poorly conserved among different clostridial neurotoxins, and competition experiments have shown that different BoNT serotypes bind to different protein receptors on the surface of neuronal cells. This analysis is therefore consistent with the hypothesis that BoNTs neurotoxins bind to receptor systems comprising at least two components; a protein component and a carbohydrate component.

Based on these findings, and as the present disclosure provided herein, the Applicants have discovered that cells expressing the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) can bind BoNT/A. Internalization of the toxin can be followed when these cell lines are exposed to the toxin. Moreover, BoNT/A internalization is inhibited in a dose-dependent manner when FGF, such as, e.g., FGF1, FGF2, FGF4, FGF8 and FGF9, is added at increasing concentrations. Cells tested by the Applicants that did not display the FGFR3 receptor were unable to internalize the toxin, although when subjected to electroporation in the presence of BoNT/A, the intracellular cleavage of SNAP-25 could be detected, indicating that the endopeptidase activity of the toxin remained intact, and that the cells remained susceptible to the endopeptidase. In addition, the Applicants have found that pre-treatment with the polysialoganglioside GT1b increases BoNT/A cellular uptake.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) participate in many developmental, differentiation and growth and repair processes of cells through complex combinatorial signaling pathways. Presently, at least 23 ligands (FGF1-23) are known to signal through a family of five transmembrane tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFR1-4). The amino acid sequence identity is highly conserved between FGFR family members and each share a characteristic structural organization. The extracellular portion of FGFRs comprise an amino-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide, three Ig-like domains (IgI, IgII and IgIII) and an acid box domain of approximately eight acidic residues, followed by a single hydrophobic transmembrane domain, which in turn is followed by an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain (see FIG. 2). Affinity of FGFRs for their ligands is highly diverse with different affinities for each family member of growth factors, see, e.g., C. J. Powers et al., Fibroblast growth factors, their receptors and signaling 7(3) Endocr. Relat. Cancer. 165-197 (2000). Table 1 lists some of the known FGF-FGFR signaling relationships of various FGFs and their FGFRs.

TABLE 1 FGFR Variants Variant FGFR1 FGFR2 FGFR3 IIIb IIIc IIIb IIIc IIIb IIIc FGFR4 FGFR5 Ligands FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-1 FGF-2 FGF-2 FGF-3 FGF-2 FGF-9 FGF-2 FGF-2 FGF-2 FGF-3 FGF-4 FGF-7 FGF-4 FGF-4 FGF-4 FGF-8 FGF-5 FGF-10 FGF-5 FGF-8 FGF-6 FGF-10 FGF-6 FGF-6 FGF-9 FGF-8 FGF-8 FGF-8 FGF-9 FGF-17 FGF-9 FGF-17 Tissues Brain, bone, Brain, kidney, Brain, CNS, Lung, liver, Brain, skin, kidney, skin, skin, lung, liver, kidney, skin, kidney lung, testis lung, heart, glial cells lung, testis muscle, neuron Table 1 - FGFR variants and ligand affinities. FGFR variants, associated ligands, and tissue distribution, see, e.g., . Powers et al, supra, (2000); and Reuss & von Bohlen und Halbach, supra, (2003).

Diversity in FGF signaling beyond the five receptors is achieved in part by the generation of alternatively spliced variants encoding distinct receptor isoforms, see, e.g., Bernhard Reuss & Oliver von Bohlen und Halbach, Fibroblast growth factors and their receptors in the central nervous system, 313(2) Cell Tissue Res. 139-157 (2003). The protein region that appears to have the highest influence on ligand binding specificity is a portion of the IgIII domain, for which isoforms encoded by three different splice variants have been identified. These three isoforms, designated IgIIIa, IgIIIb and IgIIIc, have relative binding affinities for different FGFR family members. Alternative splicing in the FGFR ligand binding domain, designated a and b, generates additional receptor isoforms with novel ligand affinities. Isoforms for IgIIIa, IgIIIb and IgIIIc have been identified for both FGFR1 and FGFR2. Thus far, the IgIIIa isoform of FGFR3 and the IgIIIa and IgIIIb isoforms of FGFR4 and FGFR5 have not been reported.

As mentioned above, FGFR3 commonly exists in two isoforms, FGFR3IIIc and FGFR3IIIb, which arise following alternative splicing of the primary transcript in which either exon 8 or 9 respectively is skipped (see FIG. 2). However, additional isoforms exist. For example, an FGFR3 isoform has been described which lacks the acid box, see, e.g., Akio Shimizu et al, A novel alternatively spliced fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 isoform lacking the acid box domain is expressed during chondrogenic differentiation of ATDC5 cells, 276(14) J. Biol. Chem. 11031-11040 (2001). In another example, a novel, potentially cytoplasmic isoform was recently identified, called FGFR3S, in which exons 8, 9 and 10 are spliced out creating a FGFR3 that lacks the second half of IgIIIc and the transmembrane domain, see, e.g., L-M. Sturla et al., FGFR3IIIS: a novel soluble FGFR3 spliced variant that modulates growth is frequently expressed in tumour cells, 89(7) Br. J. Cancer 1276-1284 (2003).

Aspects of the present invention provide, in part, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity by contacting a sample to a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In an embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another embodiment a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

As used herein “botulinum toxin serotype A” is synonymous with “BoNT/A,” “type A,” or similar terminology referring unambiguously to Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A, means any of a number of polypeptide neurotoxins, and derivatives thereof, which can be purified from Clostridium botulinum serotype A strains and which share FGFR3 as a cell surface receptor. Such neurotoxins include those found in or corresponding to the following strains and accession numbers listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Strain Accession No. CL138 AAQ16535 137 AAQ16534 129 AAQ16533 13 AAQ16532 42N AAQ16531 Hall A-hyper AAM75961 667Ab CAA61124 NCTC 2916 CAA36289 Allergan-Hall A AAQ06331 62A AAA23262 Kyoto-F CAA51824 type A NIH BAA11051 NCTC 7272 7I03-H Kumgo AAO21363

As used herein, the term “Fibroblast Growth Factor 3 Receptor” is synonymous with “FGFR3” and means a FGFR3 peptide or peptidomimetic which binds BoNT/A in a manner that elicits a BoNT/A intoxication response. FGFR3s useful in the invention encompass, without limitation, wild type FGFR3s, naturally occurring FGFR3 variants, non-naturally FGFR3 variants, such as, e.g., genetically engineered variants produced by random mutagenesis or rational designed, and active fragments derived from a FGFR3s. As a non-limiting example, a human FGFR3, naturally occurring human FGFR3 variants, non-naturally human FGFR3 variants, and human FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a bovine FGFR3, naturally occurring bovine FGFR3 variants, non-naturally bovine FGFR3 variants, and bovine FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a rat FGFR3, naturally occurring rat FGFR3 variants, non-naturally rat FGFR3 variants, and rat FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In still another non-limiting example, a mouse FGFR3, naturally occurring mouse FGFR3 variants, non-naturally mouse FGFR3 variants, and mouse FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a chicken FGFR3, naturally occurring chicken FGFR3 variants, non-naturally chicken FGFR3 variants, and chicken FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a frog FGFR3, naturally occurring frog FGFR3 variants, non-naturally frog FGFR3 variants, and frog FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a newt FGFR3, naturally occurring newt FGFR3 variants, non-naturally newt FGFR3 variants, and newt FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In another non-limiting example, a zebrafish FGFR3, naturally occurring zebrafish FGFR3 variants, non-naturally zebrafish FGFR3 variants, and zebrafish FGFR3 fragments that retain the ability to selectively bind BoNT/A and mediate the intoxication process, can be useful as a BoNT/A receptor in aspects of the present invention. In is also understood that both nucleic acid molecules, such as, e.g., DNA and RNA, that encode a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification and peptide molecules or peptidomimetics comprising a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification are useful in aspects of the present invention. SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 disclose nucleic acid molecules encoding representative of FGFR3s useful in aspects on the present invention, while SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 disclose peptide molecules representative of FGFR3s useful in aspects on the present invention.

As used herein, the term “peptidomimetic” is used broadly to mean a peptide-like molecule that selectively binds BoNT/A as the peptide BoNT/A receptor upon which it is structurally based. Such peptidomimetics include chemically modified peptides, peptide-like molecules containing non-naturally occurring amino acids, and peptoids, which are peptide-like molecules resulting from oligomeric assembly of N-substituted glycines, and selectively bind BoNT/A as the peptide substrate upon which the peptidomimetic is derived, see, e.g., Goodman and Ro, Peptidomimetics for Drug Design, in “Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery” Vol. 1 (ed. M. E. Wolff; John Wiley & Sons 1995), pages 803-861).

A variety of peptidomimetics are known in the art including, for example, peptide-like molecules which contain a constrained amino acid, a non-peptide component that mimics peptide secondary structure, or an amide bond isostere. A peptidomimetic that contains a constrained, non-naturally occurring amino acid can include, for example, an α-methylated amino acid; an α,α-dialkyl-glycine or α-aminocycloalkane carboxylic acid; an N^(α)-C^(α) cyclized amino acid; an N^(α)-methylated amino acid; a β- or γ-amino cycloalkane carboxylic acid; an α,β-unsaturated amino acid; a β,β-dimethyl or β-methyl amino acid; β-substituted-2,3-methano amino acid; an NC^(δ) or C^(α)-C^(δ) cyclized amino acid; or a substituted proline or another amino acid mimetic. In addition, a peptidomimetic which mimics peptide secondary structure can contain, for example, a nonpeptidic β-turn mimic; γ-turn mimic; mimic of β-sheet structure; or mimic of helical structure, each of which is well known in the art. A peptidomimetic also can be a peptide-like molecule which contains, for example, an amide bond isostere such as a retro-inverso modification; reduced amide bond; methylenethioether or methylenesulfoxide bond; methylene ether bond; ethylene bond; thioamide bond; trans-olefin or fluoroolefin bond; 1,5-disubstituted tetrazole ring; ketomethylene or fluoroketomethylene bond or another amide isostere. One skilled in the art understands that these and other peptidomimetics are encompassed within the meaning of the term “peptidomimetic” as used herein.

Thus, in aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a human FGFR3IIIb that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a human FGFR3IIIb that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a human FGFR3IIIc that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a human FGFR3IIIc that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a human FGFR3IIIS that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a human FGFR3IIIS that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 6.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a bovine FGFR3IIIc that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a bovine FGFR3IIIc that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 8.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mouse FGFR3IIIb that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a mouse FGFR3IIIc that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 10.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mouse FGFR3IIIc that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a mouse FGFR3IIIc that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mouse FGFR3-delAcid that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a mouse FGFR3-delAcid that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 14.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a rat FGFR3IIIb that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a rat FGFR3IIIb that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 16.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a rat FGFR3IIIc that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a rat FGFR3IIIc that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 18.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a chicken FGFR3 that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a chicken FGFR3 that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 20.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a frog FGFR3-1 that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a frog FGFR3 that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 22.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a frog FGFR3-2 that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a frog FGFR3 that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 24.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a newt FGFR3 that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a newt FGFR3 that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 26.

In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a zebrafish FGFR3 that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at least 70% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28, at least 75% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28, at least 80% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28, at least 85% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28, at least 90% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28 or at least 95% amino acid identity with the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28. In other aspects of this embodiment, the FGFR3 is a zebrafish FGFR3 that that selectively binds BoNT/A which has, e.g., at most one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten amino acid substitutions relative to the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 28.

Other aspects of the present invention provide, in part, the optional use of a polysialogangliosides, especially those of the G1b series, such as, e.g., GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b. Cell compositions comprising a FGFR3 and a polysialoganglioside can increase the selective binding of BoNT/A relative to a composition not containing a polysialoganglioside. Thus, in an embodiment, a composition comprises a FGFR3 and optionally a polysialoganglioside. In aspects of this embodiment, a composition comprises a FGFR3 and optionally a G1b polysialoganglioside, such as, e.g., GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b.

Thus, in an embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 and optionally a G1b polysialoganglioside wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3 and a G1b polysialoganglioside wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another embodiment a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous FGFR3 and a G1b polysialoganglioside wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

Other aspects of the present invention provide, in part, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. As used herein, the term “transiently containing” means a FGFR3 that is temporarily introduced into a cell in order to perform the assays disclosed in the present specification. Thus, aspects of a cell transiently containing a FGFR3 disclosed in the specification may include a cell that contains a FGFR3 for, e.g., at most about one day, at most about two days, at most about three days, at most about four days, at most about five days, and at most about six days, at most about seven days, at most about eight days, at most about nine days and at most about ten days.

In an aspect of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be encoded by the nucleic acid molecule from a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous mammalian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous bird FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous amphibian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous fish FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. Thus in an embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In aspect of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous mammalian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous bird FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous amphibian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that transiently contains an exogenous fish FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

Other aspects of the present invention provide, in part, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. As used herein, the term “stably containing” means a FGFR3 that is introduced into a cell and maintained for long periods of time in order to perform the assays of the present specification. Stably-maintained nucleic acid molecules encompass stably-maintained nucleic acid molecules that are extra-chromosomal and replicate autonomously and stably-maintained nucleic acid molecules that are integrated into the chromosomal material of the cell and replicate non-autonomously. Thus aspects of a cell stably containing a FGFR3 disclosed in the specification may include a cell that contains a FGFR3 for, e.g., at least ten days, at least 20 two days, at least 30 days, at least forty days, at least 50 days, and at least 60 days, at least 70 days, at least 80 days, at least 90 days and at least 100 days. Other aspects of a cell stably containing a FGFR3 disclosed in the specification may include a cell that contains a FGFR3 for, e.g., at least 100 days, at least 200 days, at least 300 days, at least 400 days, and at least 500 days. Still other aspects of a cell stably containing a FGFR3 disclosed in the specification may include a cell that permanently contains a FGFR3.

In an aspect of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be encoded by the nucleic acid molecule from a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous mammalian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous bird FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous amphibian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains a nucleic acid molecule encoding an exogenous fish FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the FGFR3 can be a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous mammalian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous bird FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In an aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous amphibian FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. In another aspect of this embodiment, a method of detecting BoNT/A activity comprises contacting a sample to a cell that stably contains an exogenous fish FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity.

As mentioned above, a nucleic acid molecule can be used to express a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification. It is envisioned that any and all methods for introducing a nucleic acid molecule into a cell can be used. Methods useful for introducing a nucleic acid molecule into a cell including, without limitation, calcium phosphate-mediated, DEAE dextran-mediated, lipid-mediated, polybrene-mediated, polylysine-mediated, viral-mediated, microinjection, protoplast fusion, biolistic, electroporation and conjugation to an antibody, gramacidin S, artificial viral envelope or other intracellular carrier such as TAT., see, e.g., Introducing Cloned Genes into Cultured Mammalian Cells, pp. 16.1-16.62 (Sambrook & Russell, eds., Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Vol. 3, 3^(rd) ed. 2001); Alessia Colosimo et al., Transfer and expression of foreign genes in mammalian cells, 29(2) Biotechniques 314-318, 320-322, 324 (2000); Philip Washbourne & A. Kimberley McAllister, Techniques for gene transfer into neurons, 12(5) Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 566-573 (2002); and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and Sons, pp 9.16.4-9.16.11 (2000). One skilled in the art understands that selection of a specific method to introduce a nucleic acid molecule into a cell will depend, in part, on whether the cell will transiently contain a BoNT/A receptor or whether the cell will stably contain a BoNT/A receptor.

As mentioned above, a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification can be introduced into a cell. It is envisioned that any and all methods using a delivery agent to introduce a FGFR3 into a cell can be used. As used herein, the term “delivery agent” means any molecule that enables or enhances internalization of a covalently-linked, non-covalently-linked or in any other manner associated with a FGFR3 into a cell. Thus, the term “delivery agent” encompasses, without limitation, proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics, small molecules, nucleic acid molecules, liposomes, lipids, viruses, retroviruses and cells that, without limitation, transport a covalently or non-covalently linked substrate to the cell membrane, cell cytoplasm or nucleus. It further is understood that the term “delivery agent” encompasses molecules that are internalized by any mechanism, including delivery agents which function via receptor mediated endocytosis and those which are independent of receptor mediated endocytosis.

A delivery agent useful in the invention also can be an agent that enables or enhances cellular uptake of a covalently linked FGFR3, such as, e.g., by chemical conjugation or by genetically produced fusion proteins. Methods that covalently link delivery agents and methods of using such agents are described in, e.g., Steven F. Dowdy, Protein Transduction System and Methods of Use Thereof, International Publication No WO 00/34308 (Jun. 15, 2000); Gerard Chassaing & Alain Prochiantz, Peptides which can be Used as Vectors for the Intracellular Addresing of Active Molecuels, U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,724 (Jun. 27, 2000); Alan Frankel et al., Fusion Protein Comprising TAT-derived Transport Moiert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,980 (Oct. 7, 1995); Alan Frankel et al., TAT-derived Transport Polypeptide Conjugates, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,641 (May 5, 1998); Alan Frankel et al., TAT-derived Transport Polypeptides and Fusion Proteins, U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,604 (Sep. 8, 1998); Peter F. J. O'Hare et al., Use of Transport Proteins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,167 (May 11, 2004); Yao-Zhong Lin & Jack J. Hawiger, Method for importing biologically active molecules into cells, U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,746 (Sep. 15, 1998); Yao-Zhong Lin & Jack J. Hawiger, Method for importing biologically active molecules into cells, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,339 (Mar. 28, 2000); Yao-Zhong Lin et al., Sequence and Method for Genetic Engineering of Proteins with Cell Membrane Translocating Activity, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,558 (Jun. 19, 2001); Yao-Zhong Lin et al., Sequence and Method for Genetic Engineering of Proteins with Cell Membrane Translocating Activity, U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,680 (Aug. 13, 2002); Jack J. Hawiger et al., Method for importing biologically active molecules into cells, U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,518 (Dec. 17, 2002); Yao-Zhong Lin et al., Sequence and Method for Genetic Engineering of Proteins with Cell Membrane Translocating Activity, U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,843 (Aug. 24, 2004); Jonathan B. Rothbard & Paul A Wender, Method and Composition for Enhancing Transport Across Biological Membranes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,993 (Oct. 23, 2001); Jonathan B. Rothbard & Paul A Wender, Method and Composition for Enhancing Transport Across Biological Membranes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,663 (Dec. 17, 2002); and Pamela B. Davis et al., Fusion proteins for protein delivery, U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,817 (Sep. 11, 2001).

A delivery agent useful in the invention also can be an agent that enables or enhances cellular uptake of a non-covalently associated FGFR3. Methods that function in the absence of covalent linkage and methods of using such agents are described in, e.g., Gilles Divita et al, Peptide-mediated Transfection Agents and Methods of Use, U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,535 (Jan. 11, 2005); Philip L Felgner and Olivier Zelphati, Intracellular Protein Delivery Compositions and Methods of Use, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0008813); and Michael Karas Intracellular Delivery of Small Molecules, Proteins and Nucleic Acids, U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0209797 (Oct. 21, 2004). Such peptide delivery agents can be prepared and used by standard methods and are commercially available, see, e.g. the Chariot™ Reagent (Active Motif, Carlsbad, Calif.); BioPORTER® Reagent (Gene Therapy Systems, Inc., San Diego, Calif.), BioTrek™ Protein Delivery Reagent (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.), and Pro-Ject™ Protein Transfection Reagent (Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Rockford, Ill.).

As mentioned above, a cell can stably contain a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification. Methods useful for making and using a cells that stably contain an FGFR3 are described in, e.g., Elizabeth E. Plowright et al., Ectopic expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 promotes myeloma cell proliferation and prevents apoptosis, 95(3) Blood 992-998 (2000); TC, see, e.g., Hiroyuki Onose et al., Over-expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 in a human thyroid carcinoma cell line results in overgrowth of the confluent cultures, 140(2) Eur. J. Endocrinol. 169-173 (1999); M. Kana et al., Signal transduction pathway of human fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. Identification of a novel 66-kDa phosphoprotein, 272(10) J. Biol. Chem. 6621-6628 (1997); and Janet E. Henderson et al., Expression of FGFR3 with the G380R achondroplasia mutation inhibits proliferation and maturation of CFK2 chondrocytic cells, 15(1) J. Bone Miner. Res. 155-165 (2000).

Another aspect of the present invention provides, in part, an expression construct that allow for expression of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification. These expression constructs comprise an open reading frame encoding a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification, operably-linked to control sequences from an expression vector useful for expressing a FGFR3 in a cell. The term “operably linked” as used herein, refers to any of a variety of cloning methods that can ligate a nucleic acid molecule disclosed in the present specification into an expression vector such that a peptide encoded by the composition is expressed when introduced into a cell. Well-established molecular biology techniques that may be necessary to make an expression construct disclosed in the present specification including, but not limited to, procedures involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification restriction enzyme reactions, agarose gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid ligation, bacterial transformation, nucleic acid purification, nucleic acid sequencing are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein. Non-limiting examples of specific protocols necessary to make an expression construct are described in e.g., MOLECULAR CLONING A LABORATORY MANUAL, supra, (2001); and CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (Frederick M. Ausubel et al., eds. John Wiley & Sons, 2004). These protocols are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

A wide variety of expression vectors can be employed for expressing an open reading frame encoding a FGFR3 and include without limitation, viral expression vectors, prokaryotic expression vectors and eukaryotic expression vectors including yeast, insect and mammalian expression vectors. Non-limiting examples of expression vectors, along with well-established reagents and conditions for making and using an expression construct from such expression vectors are readily available from commercial vendors that include, without limitation, BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.; BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.; Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.; EMD Biosciences-Novagen, Madison, Wis.; QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.; and Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif. The selection, making and use of an appropriate expression vector are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teachings herein.

It is envisioned that any of a variety of expression systems may be useful for expressing construct compositions disclosed in the present specification. An expression system encompasses both cell-based systems and cell-free expression systems. Cell-based systems include, without limited, viral expression systems, prokaryotic expression systems, yeast expression systems, baculoviral expression systems, insect expression systems and mammalian expression systems. Cell-free systems include, without limitation, wheat germ extracts, rabbit reticulocyte extracts and E. coli extracts. Expression using an expression system can include any of a variety of characteristics including, without limitation, inducible expression, non-inducible expression, constitutive expression, viral-mediated expression, stably-integrated expression, and transient expression. Expression systems that include well-characterized vectors, reagents, conditions and cells are well-established and are readily available from commercial vendors that include, without limitation, Ambion, Inc. Austin, Tex.; BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.; BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.; Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.; QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.; Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, Ind.; and Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif. Non-limiting examples on the selection and use of appropriate heterologous expression systems are described in e.g., PROTEIN EXPRESSION. A PRACTICAL APPROACH (S. J. Higgins and B. David Hames eds., Oxford University Press, 1999); Joseph M. Fernandez & James P. Hoeffler, GENE EXPRESSION SYSTEMS. USING NATURE FOR THE ART OF EXPRESSION (Academic Press, 1999); and Meena Rai & Harish Padh, Expression Systems for Production of Heterologous Proteins, 80(9) CURRENT SCIENCE 1121-1128, (2001). These protocols are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

An expression construct comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a FGFR3 disclosed in the present specification can be operationally-linked to a variety of regulatory elements that can positively or negatively modulate, either directly or indirectly, the expression of a nucleic acid molecule, such as, e.g., constitutive, tissue-specific, inducible or synthetic promoters and enhancers. Non-limiting examples of constitutive regulatory elements include, e.g., the cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV TK), simian virus 40 (SV40) early, 5′ long terminal repeat (LTR), elongation factor-1a (EF-1α) and polybiquitin (UbC) regulatory elements. Non-limiting examples of inducible regulatory elements useful in aspects of the present invention include, e.g., chemical-inducible regulatory elements such as, without limitation, alcohol-regulated, tetracycline-regulated, steroid-regulated, metal-regulated and pathogenesis-related; and physical-inducible regulatory elements such as, without limitation, temperature-regulated and light-regulated. Such inducible regulatory elements can be prepared and used by standard methods and are commercially available, including, without limitation, tetracycline-inducible and tetracycline-repressible elements such as, e.g., Tet-On™ and Tet-Off™ (BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) and the T-REx™ (Tetracycline-Regulated Expression) and Flp-In™ T-REx™ systems (Invitrogen, Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.); ecdysone-inducible regulatory elements such as, e.g., the Complete Control® Inducible Mammalian Expression System (Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.); isopropyl β-D-galactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible regulatory elements such as, e.g., the LacSwitch® ^(II) Inducible Mammalian Expression System (Stratagene, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.); and steroid-inducible regulatory elements such as, e.g., the chimeric progesterone receptor inducible system, GeneSwitch™ (Invitrogen, Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.). The skilled person understands that these and a variety of other constitutive and inducible regulatory systems are commercially available or well known in the art and can be useful in the invention for controlling expression of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a BoNT/A receptor.

In an embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a constitutive regulatory element. In aspects of this embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a constitutive regulatory element; a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bird FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a constitutive regulatory element; a nucleic acid molecule encoding an amphibian FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a constitutive regulatory element; and a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fish FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a constitutive regulatory element.

In another embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as an inducible regulatory element. In aspects of this embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mammalian FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a inducible regulatory element; a nucleic acid molecule encoding a bird FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a inducible regulatory element; a nucleic acid molecule encoding an amphibian FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a inducible regulatory element; and a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fish FGFR3 can optionally be linked to a regulatory element such as a inducible regulatory element. In another aspect of this embodiment, expression of the nucleic acid molecule is induced using, e.g., tetracycline-inducible, ecdysone-inducible or steroid-inducible.

It is understood that a FGFR3 useful in aspects of the present invention optionally can include one or more additional components. As a non-limiting example, a flexible spacer sequence such as poly-glycine sequences can be included in a FGFR3 useful in the invention. A useful FGFR3 can further include, without limitation, one or more of the following: epitope-binding tags, such as. e.g., FLAG, Express™, human Influenza virus hemaglutinin (HA), human p62^(c-MYc) protein (c-MYC), Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Glycoprotein (VSV-G), glycoprotein-D precursor of Herpes simplex virus (HSV), V5, and AU1; affinity-binding, such as, e.g., polyhistidine (HIS), streptavidin binding peptide (strep), and biotin or a biotinylation sequence; peptide-binding regions, such as, e.g., the glutathione binding domain of glutathione-S-transferase, the calmodulin binding domain of the calmodulin binding protein, and the maltose binding domain of the maltose binding protein; immunoglobulin hinge region; an N-hydroxysuccinimide linker; a peptide or peptidomimetic hairpin turn; or a hydrophilic sequence or another component or sequence that, for example, promotes the solubility or stability of a FGFR3. Non-limiting examples of specific protocols for selecting, making and using an appropriate binding peptide are described in, e.g., Epitope Tagging, pp. 17.90-17.93 (Sambrook and Russell, eds., Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Vol. 3, 3^(rd) ed. 2001); Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (Edward Harlow & David Lane, eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 2^(nd) ed. 1998); and Using Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual: Portable Protocol No. I (Edward Harlow & David Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1998). In addition, non-limiting examples of binding peptides as well as well-characterized reagents, conditions and protocols are readily available from commercial vendors that include, without limitation, BD Biosciences-Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.; BD Biosciences Pharmingen, San Diego, Calif.; Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.; QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.; and Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif. These protocols are routine procedures well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

Aspects of the present invention provide, in part, a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication. As used herein, the term “cell,” means any eukaryotic cell that expresses, or can be engineered to express, at least one exogenous FGFR3 that binds BoNT/A. The term cell encompasses cells from a variety of organisms, such as, e.g., murine, rat, porcine, bovine, equine, primate and human cells; from a variety of cell types such as, e.g., neural and non-neural; and can be isolated from or part of a heterogeneous cell population, tissue or organism. It is understood that cells useful in aspects of the invention can included, without limitation, primary cells; cultured cells; established cells; normal cells; transformed cells; tumor cells; infected cells; proliferating and terminally differentiated cells; and stably or transiently transfected cells, including stably and transiently transfected cells. It is further understood that cells useful in aspects of the invention can be in any state such as proliferating or quiescent; intact or permeabilized such as through chemical-mediated transfection such as, e.g., calcium phosphate-mediated, diethyl-laminoethyl (DEAE) dextran-mediated, lipid-mediated, polyethyleneimine (PEI)-mediated, polybrene-mediated, and protein delivery agents; physical-mediated transfection, such as, e.g., biolistic particle delivery, microinjection and electroporation; and viral-mediated transfection, such as, e.g., retroviral-mediated transfection. It is further understood that cells useful in aspects of the invention may include those which express a FGFR3 under control of a constitutive, tissue-specific, cell-specific or inducible promoter element, enhancer element or both.

As used herein, the term “cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication” means a cell that can enable the overall cellular mechanism whereby BoNT/A proteolytically cleaves a substrate, such as, e.g., SNAP-25, and encompasses the binding of BoNT/A to a low or high affinity receptor, the internalization of the toxin/receptor complex, the translocation of the BoNT/A light chain into the cytoplasm and the enzymatic target modification of a BoNT/A substrate. By definition, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication must express a FGFR3. As a non-limiting example, a neuronal or non-neuronal cell can be transiently or stably engineered to express an exogenous nucleic acid molecule encoding a FGFR3. As another non-limiting example, a neuronal or non-neuronal cell can be transiently engineered to contain an exogenous FGFR3.

Cells useful in aspects of the invention include both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Neuronal cells useful in aspects of the invention include, without limitation, primary neuronal cells; immortalized or established neuronal cells; transformed neuronal cells; neuronal tumor cells; stably and transiently transfected neuronal cells and further include, yet are not limited to, mammalian, murine, rat, primate and human neuronal cells. Non-limiting examples of neuronal cells useful in aspects of the invention include, e.g., peripheral neuronal cells, such as, e.g., motor neurons and sensory neurons; and CNS neuronal cells, such as, e.g., spinal cord neurons like embryonic spinal cord neurons, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, cerebral cortex neurons, cerebellar neurons, hippocampal neurons and motor neurons. Neuronal cells useful in the invention can be, for example, central nervous system (CNS) neurons; neuroblastoma cells; motor neurons, hippocampal neurons or cerebellar neurons and further can be, without limitation, Neuro-2A, SH-SY5Y, NG108-15, N1E-115 or SK-N-DZ cells. The skilled person understands that these and additional primary and established neurons can be useful in the cells and methods of the invention.

Neurons useful in aspects of the invention include, without limitation, primary cultures such as primary cultures of embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. As one example, primary cultures of embryonic rat DRG neurons are described in Mary J. Welch et al., Sensitivity of embryonic rat dorsal root ganglia neurons to Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins, 38(2) Toxicon 245 258 (2000); and primary cultures of fetal spinal cord neurons, for example, primary cultures of murine fetal spinal cord neurons are described in Elaine A. Neale et al., Botulinum neurotoxin A blocks synaptic vesicle exocytosis but not endocytosis at the nerve terminal, 147(6) J. Cell Biol. 1249-1260 (1999), and John A. Chaddock et al., Inhibition of vesicular secretion in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells by a retargeted endopeptidase derivative of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin type A, 68(5) Infect. Immun. 2587-2593 (2000). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a neuron that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a neuron can be a neuron from, e.g., a primary culture, an embryonic dorsal root ganglion primary culture or a fetal spinal cord primary culture. As non-limiting examples, cells useful according to a method disclosed in the present specification can include, a primary neuronal cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, such as, e.g., a rat embryonic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron that contains an exogenous FGFR3 or a murine fetal spinal cord neuron that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Neuronal cell lines useful in aspects of the invention include, without limitation, neuroblastoma cell lines, neuronal hybrid cell lines, spinal cord cell lines, central nervous system cell lines, cerebral cortex cell lines, dorsal root ganglion cell lines, hippocampal cell lines and pheochromocytoma cell lines.

Neuroblastoma cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate or human neuroblastoma cell lines can be useful in aspects of the invention. Neuroblastoma cell lines useful in aspects of the invention include, without limitation, BE(2)-C (ATCC CRL-2268; ECACC 95011817), BE(2)-M17 (ATCC CRL-2267; ECACC 95011816), C1300 (ECACC 93120817), CHP-212 (ATCC CRL-2273), CHP-126 (DSMZ ACC 304), IMR 32 (ATCC CRL-127; ECACC 86041809; DSMZ ACC 165), KELLY (ECACC 92110411; DSMZ ACC 355), LA-N-2, see, e.g., Robert C. Seeger et al., Morphology, growth, chromosomal pattern and fibrinolytic activity of two new human neuroblastoma cell lines, 37(5) Cancer Res. 1364-1371 (1977); and G. J. West et al., Adrenergic, cholinergic, and inactive human neuroblastoma cell lines with the action-potential Na+ ionophore, 37(5) Cancer Res. 1372-1376 (1977), MC-IXC (ATCC CRL-2270), MHH-NB-11 (DSMZ ACC 157), N18Tg2 (DSMZ ACC 103), N1E-115 (ATCC CCL-2263; ECACC 88112303), N4TG3 (DSMZ ACC 101), Neuro-2A (ATCC CCL-131; ECACC 89121404; DSMZ ACC 148), NB41A3 (ATCC CCL-147; ECACC 89121405), NS20Y (DSMZ ACC 94), SH-SY5Y (ATCC CRL-2266; ECACC 94030304; DSMZ ACC 209), SIMA (DSMZ ACC 164), SK-N-DZ (ATCC CRL-2149; ECACC 94092305), SK-N-F1 (ATCC CRL-2142, ECACC 94092304), SK-N-MC (ATCC HTB-10, DSMZ ACC 203) and SK-N-SH (ATCC HTB-11, ECACC 86012802). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a neuroblastoma cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a neuroblastoma cell can be, e.g., BE(2)-C, BE(2)-M17, C1300, CHP-212, CHP-126, IMR 32, KELLY, LA-N-2, MC-IXC, MHH-NB-11, N18Tg2, N1E-115, N4TG3, Neuro-2A, NB41A3, NS20Y, SH-SY5Y, SIMA, SK-N-DZ, SK-N-F1, SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH. As non-limiting examples, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity according to a method disclosed in the present specification can include, a neuroblastoma cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, such as, e.g., a SH-SY5Y cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3; a Neuro-2a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3; and a N1E-115 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3; and a SK-N-DZ cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Neuronal hybrid cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate and human hybrid neuronal cell lines can be useful in aspects of the invention. Such hybrid cell lines include neuroblastoma/glioma hybrids, such as, e.g., N18 (ECACC 88112301), NG108-15 (ATCC HB-12317, ECACC 88112302) and NG115-401L (ECACC 87032003); neuroblastoma/motor neuron hybrids, such as, e.g., NSC-19 and NSC-34, which express motor neuron characteristics, display a multipolar neuron-like phenotype, express high levels of choline acetyltransferase (CHAT), generate action potentials, express neurofilament triplet proteins and synthesize, store and release acetylcholine, see, e.g., N. R. Cashman et al., Neuroblastoma x spinal cord (NSC) hybrid cell lines resemble developing motor neurons, 194(3) Dev. Dyn. 209-221 (1992); and Christopher J. Eggett et al., Development and characterisation of a glutamate-sensitive motor neuronal cell line, 74(5) J. Neurochem. 1895-1902 (2000); neuroblastoma/root ganglion neuron hybrids, such as, e.g., F11, see, e.g., Doros Platika et al., Neuronal traits of clonal cell lines derived by fusion of dorsal root ganglia neurons with neuroblastoma cells, 82(10) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 3499-3503 (1985), ND-E (ECACC 92090915), ND-U1 (ECACC 92090916), ND7/23 (ECACC 92090903), ND8/34 (ECACC 92090904) and ND27 (ECACC 92090912); neuroblastoma/hippocampal neuron hybrids, such as, e.g., HN-33, see, e.g., Henry J. Lee et al., Neuronal properties and trophic activities of immortalized hippocampal cells from embryonic and young adult mice. 10(6) J. Neurosci. 1779-1787 (1990). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A toxin intoxication can be a hybrid neuron that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a hybrid neuron can be, e.g., a neuroblastoma/glioma hybrid cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, a neuroblastoma/motor neuron hybrid cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, a neuroblastoma/root ganglion neuron hybrid cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 and a neuroblastoma/hippocampal neuron hybrid cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In further aspects of this embodiment, a neuroblastoma/glioma hybrid can be, e.g., N18, NG108-15 and NG115-401L. In further aspects of this embodiment, a neuroblastoma/motor neuron hybrid can be, e.g., NSC-19 and NSC-32. In further aspects of this embodiment, a neuroblastoma/root ganglion neuron hybrid can be, e.g., F11, ND-E, ND-U1, ND7/23, ND8/34 and ND27. In further aspects of this embodiment, a neuroblastoma/hippocampal neuron hybrid can be, e.g., HN-33. As non-limiting examples, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity according to a method disclosed in the present specification can include, a neuronal hybrid cell, such as, e.g., a NG108-15 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Spinal cord cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate or human spinal cord cell lines can be useful in aspects of the invention and include, without limitation, TE 189.T (ATCC CRL-7947) and M4b, see, e.g., Ana M. Cardenas et al., Establishment and characterization of immortalized neuronal cell lines derived from the spinal cord of normal and trisomy 16 fetal mice, an animal model of Down syndrome, 68(1) J. Neurosci. Res. 46-58 (2002). As an example, a human spinal cord cell line can be generated from precursors of human embryonic spinal cord cells (first trimester embryos) that are immortalized with a tetracycline repressible v-myc oncogene as described in Ronghao Li et al., Motorneuron differentiation of immortalized human spinal cord cell lines, 59(3) J. Neurosci. Res. 342-352 (2000). Such cells can be expanded indefinitely in proliferative growth conditions before rapid differentiation (4-7 days) into functional neurons that express neuronal phenotypic markers such as choline acetyltransferase. As another example, a murine spinal cord cell line can be prepared by immortalizing an embryonic spinal cord culture using transforming media. Such a spinal cord cell line can be, for example, the murine M4b line and can express neuronal markers such as NSE, synaptophysin, MAP 2 and choline acetyltransferase, and can release acetylcholine upon appropriate stimulation, see, e.g., Cardenas et al., supra, (2002). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a spinal cord cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a spinal cord cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 can be, e.g., a TE 189.T cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 and a M4b cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Central nervous system (CNS) cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate and human CNS cell lines, can be useful in aspects of the invention. A useful CNS cell line can be, for example, a human CNS cell line immortalized with a tetracycline repressible v-myc oncogene as described in Dinah W. Sah et al., Bipotent progenitor cell lines from the human CNS, 15(6) Nat. Biotechnol. 574-580 (1997). Upon repression of the oncogene, the cells differentiate into neurons. Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a CNS cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Cerebral cortex cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate and human cerebral cortex cell lines, can be useful in aspects of the invention and include, without limitation, CNh, see, e.g., Ana M. Cardenas et al., Calcium signals in cell lines derived from the cerebral cortex of normal and trisomy 16 mice, 10(2) Neuroreport 363-369 (1999), HCN-1a (ATCC CRL-10442) and HCN-2 (ATCC CRL-10742). As an example, murine cortex primary cultures from 12-16 days embryos can be immortalized, for example, by culturing the cells in conditioned media from a rat thyroid cell line that induces transformation in vitro. The immortalized cells can be differentiated into neurons expressing neuronal markers using the appropriate media; these differentiated cells express choline acetyltransferase and secrete acetylcholine and glutamate in response to depolarization and nicotine stimulation, see, e.g., David D. Allen et al., Impaired cholinergic function in cell lines derived from the cerebral cortex of normal and trisomy 16 mice, 12(9) Eur. J. Neurosci. 3259-3264 (2000). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cerebral cortex cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a cerebral cortex cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 can be, e.g., a CNh cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, HCN-1a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 and HCN-2 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Dorsal root ganglia cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate and human dorsal root ganglia cell lines, can be useful in aspects of the invention and include, without limitation, G4b, see, e.g., David D. Allen et al., A dorsal root ganglia cell line derived from trisomy 16 fetal mice, a model for Down syndrome, 13(4) Neuroreport 491-496 (2002). Embryonic dorsal root ganglia primary cultures can be immortalized with transforming conditioned media as described above. Upon differentiation, the cell line exhibits neuronal traits and lacks glial markers by immunohistochemistry. Release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine can be induced in response to potassium and nicotine, see, e.g., Allen et al., supra, (2002). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a dorsal root ganglia cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a dorsal root ganglia cell can be, e.g., a G4b cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

Hippocampal cell lines, such as, e.g., murine, rat, primate and human hippocampal lines can be useful in aspects of the invention and include, without limitation, HT-4, see, e.g., K. Frederiksen et al., Immortalization of precursor cells from the mammalian CNS, 1(6) Neuron 439-448 (1988) and HT-22, see, e.g., John B. Davis and Pamela Maher, Protein kinase C activation inhibits glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in a neuronal cell line, 652(1) Brain Res. 169-173 (1994). As a non-limiting example, the murine hippocampal cell line HT-22 can be useful in the invention. As a further non-limiting example, the immortalized HN33 hippocampal cell line can be useful in the invention. This hippocampal cell line was derived from the fusion of primary neurons from the hippocampus of postnatal day 21 mice with the N18TG2 neuroblastoma cell line, and, when differentiated, shares membrane properties with adult hippocampal neurons in primary culture, see, e.g., Henry J. Lee et al., Neuronal Properties and Trophic Activities of Immortalized Hippocampal Cells from Embryonic and Young Adult Mice, 19(6) J. Neurosci. 1779-1787 (1990); and Henry J. Lee et al., Immortalized young adult neurons from the septal region: generation and characterization, 52(1-2) Brain Res. Dev Brain Res. 219-228 (1990). Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a hippocampal cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a hippocampal cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 can be, e.g., a HT-4 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, a HT-22 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 and a HN33 cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

A variety of non-neuronal cells are useful in aspects of the invention. Non-neuronal cells useful in aspects of the invention include, without limitation, primary non-neuronal cells; immortalized or established non-neuronal cells; transformed non-neuronal cells; non-neuronal tumor cells; stably and transiently transfected non-neuronal cells and further include, yet are not limited to, mammalian, murine, rat, primate and human non-neuronal cells. Non-neuronal cells useful in aspects of the invention further include, without limitation, any of the following primary or established cells: anterior pituitary cells; adrenal cells, such as, e.g., chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla; pancreatic cells, such as, e.g., pancreatic acinar cells, pancreatic islet P cells and insulinoma HIT or INS-1 cells; ovarian cells, such as, e.g., steroid-producing ovarian cells; kidney cells, such as, e.g., inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells; stomach cells, such as, e.g., enterochromaffin cells; blood cells, such as. e.g., eurythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets, neutrophils, eosinophils, mast cells; epithelial cells, such as. e.g., those of the apical plasma membrane; fibroblasts; thyroid cells; chondrocytes; muscle cells; hepatocytes; glandular cells such as, e.g., pituitary cells, adrenal cells, chromaffin cells; and cells involved in glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation. Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a non-neuronal cell. In aspects of this embodiment, a non-neuronal cell can be from a primary or established non-neuronal cell line from the, e.g., anterior pituitary cells, adrenal cells, pancreatic cells, ovarian cells, kidney cells, stomach cells, blood cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, thyroid cells, chondrocytes, muscle cells, hepatocytes and glandular cells.

As non-limiting examples, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity according to a method disclosed in the present specification can include, a primary or established non-neuronal cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3, such as, e.g., a chromaffin cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 or pancreatic acinar cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3; a primary neuronal cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3.

As discussed above, cells useful in the invention include neuronal and non-neuronal cells that express low or undetectable levels of endogenous receptor but which have been transfected with, or otherwise engineered to express, one or more exogenous nucleic acid molecules encoding one or more FGFR3s. Cells useful in aspects of the present invention further include, without limitation, transformed, tumor or other cells which over-express one or more exogenous FGFR3s. It is understood that the over-expressed receptor can be a wild type form of the receptor or can include one or more amino acid modifications as compared to the wild type receptor, with the proviso that the process of BoNT/A intoxication can still occur. As a non-limiting example, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity encompass those which express or over-express an exogenous mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3. As another non-limiting example, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity encompass those which express or over-express an exogenous bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3. As another non-limiting example, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity encompass those which express or over-express an exogenous amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3. As another non-limiting example, cells useful for detecting BoNT/A activity encompass those which express or over-express an exogenous fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3.

Thus, in an embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cell stably expressing an exogenous FGFR3. In aspects of this embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cell stably expressing an exogenous mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3. In other aspects of this embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cell stably expressing an exogenous bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3. In other aspects of this embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cell stably expressing an exogenous amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3. In other aspects of this embodiment, a cell capable of BoNT/A intoxication can be a cell stably expressing an exogenous fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3.

Aspects of the present invention provide, in part, detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity. As used herein, the term “control cell” means a cell of the same or similar type as the contacted cell and grown under the same conditions but which is not contacted with any sample or is contacted with a defined negative sample or a defined positive sample. One skilled in the art understands that a variety of control cells are useful in the methods disclosed in the present specification and that a control cell can be a positive control cell or a negative control cell. A control cell can be, for example, a negative control cell such as a similar or identical cell containing the same or similar FGFR3 that is contacted with a similar, defined negative sample, which is known to lack active BoNT/A, or that is not contacted with any sample. A control cell also can be, for example, a positive control cell such as a similar or identical cell containing the same or similar FGFR3 contacted with a defined positive sample, which is known to include active BoNT/A.

A wide variety of assays can be used to determine the presence of BoNT/A activity, including direct and indirect assays for toxin uptake. Assays that determine BoNT/A binding or uptake properties can be used to assess BoNT/A activity. Such assays include, without limitation, cross-linking assays using labeled BoNT/A, such as, e.g., BoNT/A-SBED, see, e.g., Example II of the present specification and [¹²⁵I] BoNT/A, see, e.g., Noriko Yokosawa et al., Binding of Clostridium botulinum type C neurotoxin to different neuroblastoma cell lines, 57(1) Infect. Immun. 272-277 (1989); Noriko Yokosawa et al., Binding of botulinum type C1, D and E neurotoxins to neuronal cell lines and synaptosomes, 29(2) Toxicon 261-264 (1991); and Tei-ichi Nishiki et al., Identification of protein receptor for Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin in rat brain synaptosomes, 269(14) J. Biol. Chem. 10498-10503 (1994). Other non-limiting assays include immunocytochemical assays that detect toxin binding using labeled or unlabeled antibodies, see, e.g., Atsushi Nishikawa et al., The receptor and transporter for internalization of Clostridium botulinum type C progenitor toxin into HT-29 cells, 319(2) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 327-333 (2004) and immunoprecipitation assays, see, e.g., Yukako Fujinaga et al., Molecular characterization of binding subcomponents of Clostridium botulinum type C progenitor toxin for intestinal epithelial cells and erythrocytes, 150(Pt 5) Microbiology 1529-1538 (2004). Antibodies useful for these assays include, without limitation, antibodies selected against a BoNT/A, antibodies selected against a BoNT/A receptor, such as, e.g., FGFR3, antibodies selected against a ganglioside, such as, e.g., GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b and selected against a test compound, such as, e.g., a molecule that selectively binds a BoNT/A receptor wherein selective binding modulates BoNT/A activity. If the antibody is labeled, the binding of the molecule can be detected by various means, including Western blotting, direct microscopic observation of the cellular location of the antibody, measurement of cell or substrate-bound antibody following a wash step, or electrophoresis, employing techniques well-known to those of skill in the art. If the antibody is unlabeled, one may employ a labeled secondary antibody for indirect detection of the bound molecule, and detection can proceed as for a labeled antibody. It is understood that these and similar assays that determine BoNT/A uptake properties or characteristics can be useful in detecting BoNT/A activity.

Assays that monitor the release of a molecule after exposure to BoNT/A can also be used to assess for the presence of BoNT/A activity. In these assays, inhibition of the molecule's release would occur in cells expressing a FGFR3 after BoNT/A treatment. As a non-limiting example the inhibition of insulin release assay disclosed in the present specification can monitor the release of a molecule after exposure to BoNT/A and thereby be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a BoNT/A receptor (see Example I). Other non-limiting assays include methods that measure inhibition of radio-labeled catecholamine release from neurons, such as, e.g., [³H]noradrenaline or [³H]dopamine release, see e.g., A Fassio et al., Evidence for calcium-dependent vesicular transmitter release insensitive to tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin type F, 90(3) Neuroscience 893-902 (1999); and Sara Stigliani et al., The sensitivity of catecholamine release to botulinum toxin C1 and E suggests selective targeting of vesicles set into the readily releasable pool, 85(2) J. Neurochem. 409-421 (2003), or measures catecholamine release using a fluorometric procedure, see, e.g., Anton de Paiva et al., A role for the interchain disulfide or its participating thiols in the internalization of botulinum neurotoxin A revealed by a toxin derivative that binds to ecto-acceptors and inhibits transmitter release intracellularly, 268(28) J. Biol. Chem. 20838-20844 (1993); Gary W. Lawrence et al., Distinct exocytotic responses of intact and permeabilised chromaffin cells after cleavage of the 25-kDa synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25) or synaptobrevin by botulinum toxin A or B, 236(3) Eur. J. Biochem. 877-886 (1996); and Patrick Foran et al., Botulinum neurotoxin C1 cleaves both syntaxin and SNAP-25 in intact and permeabilized chromaffin cells: correlation with its blockade of catecholamine release, 35(8) Biochemistry 2630-2636 (1996); and methods that measure inhibition of hormone release from endocrine cells, such as, e.g., anterior pituitary cells or ovarian cells. It is understood that these and similar assays for molecule release can be useful in assessing BoNT/A activity.

As non-limiting examples, an inhibition of insulin release assay can be used to determine the presence of BoNT/A activity in cells containing a FGFR3 and capable of secreting insulin; an inhibition of noradrenaline release assay can be used to determine BoNT/A activity in cells containing a FGFR3 and capable of secreting noradrenaline; and an inhibition of estrogen release assay can be used to determine BoNT/A activity in cells containing a FGFR3 and capable of secreting estrogen.

Assays that detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A can also be used to assess for the presence of BoNT/A activity. In these assays, generation of a BoNT/A cleavage-product would be detected after BoNT/A treatment. As a non-limiting example the SNAP-25 cleavage assay disclosed in the present specification can detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A and thereby be useful in assessing BoNT/A activity (see Example I). Other non-limiting methods useful to detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A are described in, e.g., Lance E. Steward et al., FRET Protease Assays for Botulinum Serotype A/E Toxins, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0143650 (Jul. 31, 2003); and Ester Fernandez-Salas et al., Cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Assays for Clostridial Toxins, U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0072270 (Apr. 15, 2004). It is understood that these and similar assays for BoNT/A substrate cleavage can be useful in assessing BoNT/A activity.

As non-limiting examples, western blot analysis using an antibody that recognizes BoNT/A SNAP-25-cleaved product can be used to determine the presence of BoNT/A activity. Examples of anti-SNAP-25 antibodies useful for these assays include, without limitation, rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP25₁₉₇ antiserum pAb anti-SNAP25197 #1 (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody SMI-81 (Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody C171.1 (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody C171.2 (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody SP12 (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.), rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), and rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.).

The methods disclosed in the present specification include, in part, a sample. As used herein, the term “sample” means any biological matter that contains or potentially contains an active BoNT/A. A variety of samples can be assayed according to a method disclosed in the present specification including, without limitation, purified, partially purified, or unpurified BoNT/A; recombinant single chain or di-chain toxin with a naturally or non-naturally occurring sequence; recombinant BoNT/A with a modified protease specificity; recombinant BoNT/A with an altered cell specificity; chimeric toxin containing structural elements from multiple BoNT/A species or subtypes; bulk BoNT/A; formulated BoNT/A product; and foods; cells or crude, fractionated or partially purified cell lysates, for example, engineered to include a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a BoNT/A; bacterial, baculoviral and yeast lysates; raw, cooked, partially cooked or processed foods; beverages; animal feed; soil samples; water samples; pond sediments; lotions; cosmetics; and clinical formulations. It is understood that the term sample encompasses tissue samples, including, without limitation, mammalian tissue samples, livestock tissue samples such as sheep, cow and pig tissue samples; primate tissue samples; and human tissue samples. Such samples encompass, without limitation, intestinal samples such as infant intestinal samples, tissue samples obtained from a wound. Other such samples include mammalian tissue, mammalian saliva, mammalian excretions and mammalian feces. As non-limiting examples, a method of the invention can be useful for detecting the presence or activity of a BoNT/A in a food or beverage sample; to assay a sample from a human or animal, for example, exposed to a BoNT/A or having one or more symptoms of a BoNT/A exposure; to follow activity during production and purification of BoNT/A; or to assay formulated BoNT/A products such as pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.

It is envisioned that a wide variety of processing formats can be used in conjunction with the methods disclosed present specification, including, without limitation, manual processing, partial automated-processing, semi-automated-processing, full automated-processing, high throughput processing, high content processing, and the like or any combination thereof.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of reducing BoNT/A activity in a human comprising administering to said human a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule that selectively binds a FGFR3 wherein said selective binding reduces the ability of BoNT/A to bind to said FGFR3. In is envisioned that any molecule that can selectively bind to a FGFR3 in a manner that prevents BoNT/A binding to that same FGFR3 can be useful, including, without limitation, an anti-FGFR3 antibody, an FGF or an FGF agonist. In addition, a FGFR3, a FGFR3 fragment retaining BoNT/A selective binding activity, or peptidomimetic thereof can also be useful. Molecules that selectively binds a FGFR3, and thus useful in methods of reducing BoNT/A activity are described in, e.g., Avner Yayon et al., Antibodies that block receptor protein tyrosone kinase activation, methods of screening for and using thereof, International Publication No. WO 02/102972 (Dec. 27, 2002); Avner Yayon et al., Antibodies that block receptor protein tyrosone kinase activation, methods of screening for and using thereof, International Publication No. WO 02/102973 (Dec. 27, 2002); and Elisabeth Thomassen-Wolf et al., Antibodies that block receptor protein tyrosone kinase activation, methods of screening for and using thereof, International Publication No. WO 02/102854 (Dec. 27, 2002)

Aspects of the present invention provide, in part, a method of reducing BoNT/A activity in a human by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a molecule that selectively binds a FGFR3. The administered composition can be formulated in a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable media, as described below. An effective dose of a composition disclosed in the present specification will depend upon the particular molecule selected, the route administration, and the particular characteristics of the human or other mammal, such as age, weight, general health and the like. An effective dose can be determined in an animal model prior to administration to humans. Compositions useful in aspects of the invention can be administered by a variety of routes to stimulate an immune response. As a non-limiting example, oral tolerance is well-recognized in the art (see, for example, Weiner, Hospital Practice, pp. 53-58 (Sep. 15, 1995). Those skilled in the art can readily determine for a particular composition, a suitable pharmacological composition, an appropriate antigen payload; route of administration; volume of dose; and pharmaceutical regimen useful in a particular animal, for example, humans.

As disclosed herein a pharmaceutical composition is administered to a human or other mammal to reduce BoNT/A activity. As used herein, the term “reduce,” when used in reference to administering to a human or other mammal an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition, means reducing a symptom of a condition characterized by exposure BoNT/A activity, or delaying or preventing onset of a symptom of a condition characterized by exposure to BoNT/A activity in the human or other mammal. For example, the term “reducing” can mean reducing a symptom of a condition characterized by exposure to BoNT/A activity by at least 30%, 40%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%. The effectiveness of a pharmaceutical composition in treating a condition characterized by exposure to BoNT/A activity can be determined by observing one or more clinical symptoms or physiological indicators associated with the condition. An improvement in a condition characterized by exposure to BoNT/A activity also can be indicated by a reduced need for a concurrent therapy. Those of skill in the art will know the appropriate symptoms or indicators associated with specific conditions and will know how to determine if a human or other mammal is a candidate for treatment with a pharmaceutical composition disclosed in the present specification. In particular, it is understood that those skilled in the art will be able to determine if a condition if characterized by exposure BoNT/A activity, for example, by comparison of levels of BoNT/A activity from the human or other mammal with a normal control cells.

The appropriate effective amount to be administered for a particular application of the methods can be determined by those skilled in the art, using the guidance provided herein. For example, an effective amount can be extrapolated from assays as described herein above. One skilled in the art will recognize that the condition of the patient can be monitored throughout the course of therapy and that the effective amount of a composition that is administered can be adjusted accordingly.

A pharmaceutical composition useful in aspects of the invention generally is administered in a pharmaceutical acceptable composition. As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refer to any molecular entity or composition that does not produce an adverse, allergic or other untoward or unwanted reaction when administered to a human or other mammal. As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable composition” refers to a therapeutically effective concentration of an active ingredient. A pharmaceutical composition may be administered to a patient alone, or in combination with other supplementary active ingredients, agents, drugs or hormones. The pharmaceutical compositions may be manufactured using any of a variety of processes, including, without limitation, conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, and lyophilizing. The pharmaceutical composition can take any of a variety of forms including, without limitation, a sterile solution, suspension, emulsion, lyophilizate, tablet, pill, pellet, capsule, powder, syrup, elixir or any other dosage form suitable for administration.

It is also envisioned that a pharmaceutical composition disclosed in the present specification can optionally include a pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that facilitate processing of an active ingredient into pharmaceutically acceptable compositions. As used herein, the term “pharmacologically acceptable carrier” refers to any carrier that has substantially no long term or permanent detrimental effect when administered and encompasses terms such as “pharmacologically acceptable vehicle, stabilizer, diluent, auxiliary or excipient.” Such a carrier generally is mixed with an active compound, or permitted to dilute or enclose the active compound and can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquid agent. It is understood that the active ingredients can be soluble or can be delivered as a suspension in the desired carrier or diluent. Any of a variety of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be used including, without limitation, aqueous media such as, e.g., distilled, deionized water, saline; solvents; dispersion media; coatings; antibacterial and antifungal agents; isotonic and absorption delaying agents; or any other inactive ingredient. Selection of a pharmacologically acceptable carrier can depend on the mode of administration. Except insofar as any pharmacologically acceptable carrier is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in pharmaceutically acceptable compositions is contemplated. Non-limiting examples of specific uses of such pharmaceutical carriers can be found in PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORMS AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS (Howard C. Ansel et al., eds., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers, 7th ed. 1999); REMINGTON: THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF PHARMACY (Alfonso R. Gennaro ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 20 ed. 2000); GOODMAN & GILMAN'S THE PHARMACOLOGICAL BASIS OF THERAPEUTICS (Joel G. Hardman et al., eds., McGraw-Hill Professional, 10^(th) ed. 2001); and HANDBOOK OF PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENTS (Raymond C. Rowe et al., APhA Publications, 4 edition 2003). These protocols are routine procedures and any modifications are well within the scope of one skilled in the art and from the teaching herein.

It is further envisioned that a pharmaceutical composition disclosed in the present specification can optionally include, without limitation, other pharmaceutically acceptable components, including, without limitation, buffers, preservatives, tonicity adjusters, salts, antioxidants, physiological substances, pharmacological substances, bulking agents, emulsifying agents, wetting agents, sweetening or flavoring agents, and the like. Various buffers and means for adjusting pH can be used to prepare a pharmaceutical composition disclosed in the present specification, provided that the resulting preparation is pharmaceutically acceptable. Such buffers include, without limitation, acetate buffers, citrate buffers, phosphate buffers, neutral buffered saline, phosphate buffered saline and borate buffers. It is understood that acids or bases can be used to adjust the pH of a composition as needed. Pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include, without limitation, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfate, acetylcysteine, butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. Useful preservatives include, without limitation, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate, phenylmercuric nitrate and a stabilized oxy chloro composition, for example, PURITE®. Tonicity adjustors useful in a pharmaceutical composition include, without limitation, salts such as, e.g., sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol or glycerin and other pharmaceutically acceptable tonicity adjustor. The pharmaceutical composition may be provided as a salt and can be formed with many acids, including but not limited to, hydrochloric, sulfuric, acetic, lactic, tartaric, malic, succinic, etc. Salts tend to be more soluble in aqueous or other protonic solvents than are the corresponding free base forms. It is understood that these and other substances known in the art of pharmacology can be included in a pharmaceutical composition useful in the invention.

A pharmaceutical composition useful in a method of the disclosure is administered to a human or other mammal in an effective amount. Such an effective amount generally is the minimum dose necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, which can be, for example, that amount roughly necessary to reduce the symptoms associated with exposure to BoNT/A activity. For example, the term “effective amount” when used with respect to treating exposure to BoNT/A activity can be a dose sufficient to the symptoms, for example, by at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100%. Such a dose generally is in the range of 0.1-1000 mg/day and can be, for example, in the range of 0.1-500 mg/day, 0.5-500 mg/day, 0.5-100 mg/day, 0.5-50 mg/day, 0.5-20 mg/day, 0.5-10 mg/day or 0.5-5 mg/day, with the actual amount to be administered determined by a physician taking into account the relevant circumstances including the severity of the BoNT/A exposure, the age and weight of the patient, the patient's general physical condition, the cause of the BoNT/A exposure and the route of administration. Where repeated administration is used, the frequency of administration depends, in part, on the half-life of the pharmaceutical composition. Suppositories and extended release formulations can be useful in the invention and include, for example, dermal patches, formulations for deposit on or under the skin and formulations for intramuscular injection. It is understood that slow-release formulations also can be useful in the methods of the invention. The subject receiving the pharmaceutical composition can be any mammal or other vertebrate capable of experiencing exposure to BoNT/A activity, for example, a human, primate, horse, cow, dog, cat or bird.

Various routes of administration can be useful for reducing BoNT/A activity according to a method of the invention. A pharmaceutical composition useful in the methods of the invention can be administered to a mammal by any of a variety of means depending, for example, on the type and location of BoNT/A exposure to be treated, the pharmaceutical composition, or other compound to be included in the composition, and the history, risk factors and symptoms of the subject. Routes of administration suitable for the methods of the invention include both systemic and local administration. As non-limiting examples, a pharmaceutical composition useful for reducing BoNT/A activity can be administered orally or by subcutaneous pump; by dermal patch; by intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection; by topical drops, creams, gels or ointments; as an implanted or injected extended release formulation; as a bioerodible or non-bioerodible delivery system; by subcutaneous minipump or other implanted device; by intrathecal pump or injection; or by epidural injection. An exemplary list of biodegradable polymers and methods of use are described in, e.g., HANDBOOK OF BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS (Abraham J. Domb et al., eds., Overseas Publishers Association, 1997); CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY: DESIGNING TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE FUTURE (Kinam Park & Randy J. Mrsny eds., American Chemical Association, 2000); Vernon G. Wong, Method for Reducing or Preventing Transplant Rejection in the Eye and Intraocular Implants for Use Therefor, U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,493 (Mar. 2, 2004); Vernon G. Wong & Mae W. L. Hu, Methods for Treating Inflammation-mediated Conditions of the Eye, U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,918 (Apr. 27, 2004); David A. Weber et al., Methods and Apparatus for Delivery of Ocular Implants, U.S. Patent Publication No.

US2004/0054374 (Mar. 18, 2004); Thierry Nivaggioli et al., Biodegradable Ocular Implant, U.S. Patent Publication No. US2004/0137059 (Jul. 15, 2004). It is understood that the frequency and duration of dosing will be dependent, in part, on the relief desired and the half-life of the tolerogizing composition.

In particular embodiments, a method of the invention is practiced by peripheral administration of a pharmaceutical composition. As used herein, the term “peripheral administration” or “administered peripherally” means introducing an agent into a subject outside of the central nervous system. Peripheral administration encompasses any route of administration other than direct administration to the spine or brain. As such, it is clear that intrathecal and epidural administration as well as cranial injection or implantation are not within the scope of the term “peripheral administration” or “administered peripherally.”

Peripheral administration can be local or systemic. Local administration results in significantly more of a pharmaceutical composition being delivered to and about the site of local administration than to regions distal to the site of administration. Systemic administration results in delivery of a pharmaceutical composition to essentially the entire peripheral nervous system of the subject and may also result in delivery to the central nervous system depending on the properties of the composition.

Routes of peripheral administration useful in the methods of the invention encompass, without limitation, oral administration, topical administration, intravenous or other injection, and implanted minipumps or other extended release devices or formulations. A pharmaceutical composition useful in the invention can be peripherally administered, for example, orally in any acceptable form such as in a tablet, liquid, capsule, powder, or the like; by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous or parenteral injection; by transdermal diffusion or electrophoresis; topically in any acceptable form such as in drops, creams, gels or ointments; and by minipump or other implanted extended release device or formulation.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of screening for a molecule able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication by contacting said sample with a composition comprising an FGFR3 and detecting whether said molecule selectively binds said FGFR3, wherein selective binding of said molecule to said FGFR3 indicates that said molecule is able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, and wherein if said molecule is BoNT/A, said method does not comprise an LD₅₀ assay. As used herein, the term “selective” binding means that a binding agent is able to bind its target under physiological conditions, or in vitro conditions substantially approximating physiological conditions, to a statistically significantly greater degree (i.e., has a smaller K_(d) or dissociation constant) than to other, non-target molecules on the surface of the neural cell. “K_(d)” is the molar concentration of the binding agent at which half the target molecules are bound by the binding agent. As used herein, the term “LD₅₀ assay” means an live animal-based in vivo assay of neurotoxin activity comprising detecting the dose of neurotoxin at which 50% of treated animals die, see, e.g., the Mouse Protection Assay (MPA), Charles L. Hatheway & Carol Dang, Immunogenicity of the Neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum, 93-107 (Neurological Disease and Therapy—THERAPY WITH BOTULINUM TOXIN, Joseph Jankovic & Mark Hallett eds., Marcel Dekker, 1994).

It is envisioned that any and all assay conditions suitable for screening for a molecule able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication can be useful, including, e.g., in vitro and in vivo assays. In addition, it is also foreseen that a wide variety of processing formats can be used in conjunction with the methods disclosed present specification, including, without limitation, manual processing, partial automated-processing, semi-automated-processing, full automated-processing, high throughput processing, high content processing, and the like or any combination thereof.

As disclosed above, any of the methods useful for detecting BoNT/A activity disclosed in the present specification and any of the compositions useful for practicing the methods useful for detecting BoNT/A activity disclosed in the present specification can be can be useful in screening for a molecule that competes with BoNT/A for the selectively binding to a FGFR3. Thus, in aspect of this embodiment, a FGFR3 can be encoded by the nucleic acid molecule from a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In another aspect of this embodiment, a FGFR3 can be a mammalian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a rat FGFR3 or a mouse FGFR3; a bird FGFR3, such as, e.g., chicken FGFR3; an amphibian FGFR3, such as, e.g., a newt FGFR3 or a frog FGFR3; and a fish FGFR3, such as, e.g., a zebrafish FGFR3. In another aspect of this embodiment, a FGFR3 useful in screening for a molecule that competes with BoNT/A for the selectively binding to the FGFR3 can be transiently or stably contained in a cell. In another aspect of this embodiment, a composition useful in screening for a molecule that competes with BoNT/A for the selectively binding to a FGFR3 comprises a FGFR3 and optionally a G1b polysialoganglioside, such as, e.g., GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b.

In another aspect of this embodiment, a cell can include cells, such as, e.g., neuronal cells including, without limitation, primary neuronal cells; immortalized or established neuronal cells; transformed neuronal cells; neuronal tumor cells; stably and transiently transfected neuronal cells expressing a FGFR3, and further include, yet are not limited to, mammalian, murine, rat, primate and human neuronal cells. Other aspects of this embodiment include cells from, such as, e.g., neuronal cell lines including, without limitation, neuroblastoma cell lines, neuronal hybrid cell lines, spinal cord cell lines, central nervous system cell lines, cerebral cortex cell lines, dorsal root ganglion cell lines, hippocampal cell lines and pheochromocytoma cell lines. Non-limiting examples of neuronal cell lines include, e.g., neuroblastoma cell lines BE(2)-C, BE(2)-M17, C1300, CHP-212, CHP-126, IMR 32, KELLY, LA-N-2, MC-IXC, MHH-NB-11, N18Tg2, N1E-115, N4TG3, Neuro-2A, NB41A3, NS20Y, SH-SY5Y, SIMA, SK-N-DZ, SK-N-F1, SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH; neuroblastoma/glioma hybrid cell lines N18, NG108-15 and NG115-401L; neuroblastoma/motor neuron hybrid cell lines NSC-19 and NSC-32; neuroblastoma/root ganglion neuron hybrid cell lines F11, ND-E, ND-U1, ND7/23, ND8/34 and ND27; the neuroblastoma/hippocampal neuron hybrid cell line HN-33; spinal cord cell lines TE 189.T and M4b; cerebral cortex cell lines CNh, HCN-1a and HCN-2; dorsal root ganglia cell line G4b; hippocampal cell lines HT-4, HT-22 and HN33; FGFR3 expressing cell lines H929, JIM-3, KMS-11, KMS-18, LB278, LB375, LB1017, LB2100, LP-1, OPM-2, PCL1 and UTMC-2. In further aspects of this embodiment, an FGFR3 expressing cell can be, e.g., H929, JIM-3, KMS-11, KMS-18, LB278, LB375, LB1017, LB2100, LP-1, OPM-2, PCL1 UTMC-2, B9, TC, L6 and CFK2. Other aspects of this embodiment include cells, such as, e.g., non-neuronal cells including, without limitation, primary non-neuronal cells; immortalized or established non-neuronal cells; transformed non-neuronal cells; non-neuronal tumor cells; stably and transiently transfected non-neuronal cells expressing a FGFR3, and further include, yet are not limited to, mammalian, murine, rat, primate and human non-neuronal cells. Other aspects of this embodiment include cells, such as, e.g., non-neuronal cells useful in aspects of the invention further include, without limitation, anterior pituitary cells; adrenal cells, pancreatic cells, ovarian cells, kidney cells, stomach cell, blood cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, thyroid cells, chondrocytes, muscle cells, hepatocytes, glandular cells and cells involved in glucose transporter (GLUT4) translocation.

The molecule to be tested in the screening method may be a “small” organic compound of synthetic origin, or may be a macromolecule (either of synthetic or biological origin) including without limitation, a polypeptide, such as, e.g., a growth factor, a neurotoxin, a modified neurotoxin, an antibody or an antibody derivative; a nucleic acid, such as, e.g., a nucleic acid aptomer; and a polysaccharide, such as, e.g., a ganglioside or a lectin. In one embodiment, the molecule is a synthetic molecule designed based on the tertiary structure and three dimensional conformation of FGF or an antibody that inhibits BoNT/A binding to a FGFR3. Such SAR (structure/activity relationship) analysis is routine in the art of medicinal chemistry, among other fields.

A wide variety of assays can be used to determine whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3, including direct and indirect assays for toxin uptake. Assays that determine BoNT/A binding or uptake properties can be used to assess whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3. Such assays include, without limitation, cross-linking assays using labeled BoNT/A, such as, e.g., BoNT/A-SBED, see, e.g., Example II of the present specification and [¹²⁵I] BoNT/A, see, e.g., Noriko Yokosawa et al., Binding of Clostridium botulinum type C neurotoxin to different neuroblastoma cell lines, 57(1) Infect. Immun. 272-277 (1989); Noriko Yokosawa et al., Binding of botulinum type C1, D and E neurotoxins to neuronal cell lines and synaptosomes, 29(2) Toxicon 261-264 (1991); and Tei-ichi Nishiki et al., Identification of protein receptor for Clostridium botulinum type B neurotoxin in rat brain synaptosomes, 269(14) J. Biol. Chem. 10498-10503 (1994). Other non-limiting assays include immunocytochemical assays that detect toxin binding using labeled or unlabeled antibodies, see, e.g., Atsushi Nishikawa et al., The receptor and transporter for internalization of Clostridium botulinum type C progenitor toxin into HT-29 cells, 319(2) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 327-333 (2004) and immunoprecipitation assays, see, e.g., Yukako Fujinaga et al., Molecular characterization of binding subcomponents of Clostridium botulinum type C progenitor toxin for intestinal epithelial cells and erythrocytes, 150(Pt 5) Microbiology 1529-1538 (2004). Antibodies useful for these assays include, without limitation, antibodies selected against a BoNT/A, antibodies selected against a BoNT/A receptor, such as, e.g., FGFR3, antibodies selected against a ganglioside, such as, e.g., GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b and selected against a test compound, such as, e.g., a molecule that selectively binds a BoNT/A receptor wherein selective binding modulates BoNT/A activity. If the antibody is labeled, the binding of the molecule can be detected by various means, including Western blotting, direct microscopic observation of the cellular location of the antibody, measurement of cell or substrate-bound antibody following a wash step, or electrophoresis, employing techniques well-known to those of skill in the art. If the antibody is unlabeled, one may employ a labeled secondary antibody for indirect detection of the bound molecule, and detection can proceed as for a labeled antibody. It is understood that these and similar assays that determine BoNT/A uptake properties or characteristics can be useful in selecting a neuron or other cells useful in aspects of the invention.

Assays that monitor the release of a molecule after exposure to BoNT/A can also be used to assess whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3. In these assays, inhibition of the molecule's release would occur in cells expressing a FGFR3 after BoNT/A treatment. As a non-limiting example the inhibition of insulin release assay disclosed in the present specification can monitor the release of a molecule after exposure to BoNT/A and thereby be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3 (see Example I). Other non-limiting assays include methods that measure inhibition of radio-labeled catecholamine release from neurons, such as, e.g., [³H]noradrenaline or [³H]dopamine release, see e.g., A Fassio et al., Evidence for calcium-dependent vesicular transmitter release insensitive to tetanus toxin and botulinum toxin type F, 90(3) Neuroscience 893-902 (1999); and Sara Stigliani et al., The sensitivity of catecholamine release to botulinum toxin C1 and E suggests selective targeting of vesicles set into the readily releasable pool, 85(2) J. Neurochem. 409-421 (2003), or measures catecholamine release using a fluorometric procedure, see, e.g., Anton de Paiva et al., A role for the interchain disulfide or its participating thiols in the internalization of botulinum neurotoxin A revealed by a toxin derivative that binds to ecto-acceptors and inhibits transmitter release intracellularly, 268(28) J. Biol. Chem. 20838-20844 (1993); Gary W. Lawrence et al., Distinct exocytotic responses of intact and permeabilised chromaffin cells after cleavage of the 25-kDa synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25) or synaptobrevin by botulinum toxin A or B, 236(3) Eur. J. Biochem. 877-886 (1996); and Patrick Foran et al., Botulinum neurotoxin C1 cleaves both syntaxin and SNAP-25 in intact and permeabilized chromaffin cells: correlation with its blockade of catecholamine release, 35(8) Biochemistry 2630-2636 (1996); and methods that measure inhibition of hormone release from endocrine cells, such as, e.g., anterior pituitary cells or ovarian cells. It is understood that these and similar assays for molecule release can be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3.

As non-limiting examples, an inhibition of insulin release assay can be used to test whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3 in a FGFR3 containing cells capable of secreting insulin; an inhibition of noradrenaline release assay using can be used to test whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3 in a FGFR3 containing cells capable of secreting noradrenaline; and an inhibition of estrogen release assay can be used to assay whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3 in a FGFR3 containing cells and capable of secreting estrogen.

Assays that detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A can also be used to assess whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3. In these assays, generation of a BoNT/A cleavage-product would be detected in cells expressing a FGFR3 after BoNT/A treatment. As a non-limiting example the SNAP-25 cleavage assay disclosed in the present specification can detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A and thereby be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a BoNT/A receptor (see Example I). Other non-limiting methods useful to detect the cleavage of a BoNT/A substrate after exposure to BoNT/A are described in, e.g., Lance E. Steward et al., FRET Protease Assays for Botulinum Serotype A/E Toxins, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0143650 (Jul. 31, 2003); and Ester Fernandez-Salas et al., Cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Assays for Clostridial Toxins, U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0072270 (Apr. 15, 2004). It is understood that these and similar assays for BoNT/A substrate cleavage can be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3.

As non-limiting examples, western blot analysis using an antibody that recognizes BoNT/A SNAP-25-cleaved product can be used to assay whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3. Examples of anti-SNAP-25 antibodies useful for these assays include, without limitation, rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP25₁₉₇ antiserum pAb anti-SNAP25197 #1 (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody SMI-81 (Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody CI 71.1 (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody CI 71.2 (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody SP12 (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.), rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum (Synaptic Systems, Goettingen, Germany), and rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum (Abcam, Cambridge, Mass.).

Assays that detect competitive binding of a molecule with BoNT/A for selective binding to a FGFR3 can also be used to assess whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3. In these assays, a reduction in BoNT/A activity would be detected as the amount of a molecule that competes with BoNT/A for selective binding to a BoNT/A would increase. In a non-limiting example, the competitive inhibition assay using FGF ligands disclosed in the present specification can be used to detect the competitive binding of a molecule with BoNT/A for selective binding to a FGFR3 and thereby be useful in assessing whether a molecule selectively binds a BoNT/A receptor (see Example II). Thus in one aspect of this embodiment, competitive binding assays using a FGFR3-binding molecule with BoNT/A for selective binding to a FGFR3 can be used to assess whether a molecule selectively binds a FGFR3.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of rendering a cell susceptible to cleavage of SNARE proteins by BoNT/A, comprising inducing said cell to express a FGFR3. Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of transiently rendering a cell susceptible to cleavage of SNARE proteins by BoNT/A, comprising transiently inducing said cell to express a FGFR3. Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of stably rendering a cell susceptible to cleavage of SNARE proteins by BoNT/A, comprising stably inducing said cell to express a FGFR3.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to the same FGFR3 as BoNT/A comprising obtaining marketing approval from a governmental or regional regulatory authority for a therapeutic neurotoxin, wherein said neurotoxin is assayed for selective binding to a cell comprising contacting said neurotoxin with a composition comprising a FGFR3 and detecting whether said neurotoxin selectively binds said FGFR3, wherein selective binding of said neurotoxin to said FGFR3 indicates that said neurotoxin is able to selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication and wherein if said molecule is BoNT/A, said method does not comprise an LD₅₀ assay; packaging said neurotoxin for sale in a manner consistent with the requirements of said regulatory authority, and selling said neurotoxin.

Other aspect of the present invention provide methods of marketing a neurotoxin capable of selectively binding to the same FGFR3 as BoNT/A comprising obtaining marketing approval from a governmental or regional regulatory authority for a therapeutic neurotoxin, wherein said neurotoxin is assayed for selective binding to a cell comprising contacting said neurotoxin to a cell that contains an exogenous FGFR3 wherein said contacted cell is capable of BoNT/A intoxication and detecting the presence of BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell relative to a control cell, where a difference in said BoNT/A activity of said contacted cell as compared to said control cell is indicative of BoNT/A activity; packaging said neurotoxin for sale in a manner consistent with the requirements of said regulatory authority, and selling said neurotoxin.

In another embodiment, the invention is drawn to a polypeptide comprising at least the H_(C) region of BONT/A, which is produced from a bulk or formulated preparation wherein the bulk or formulated preparation is assayed for specific binding to neural cells using a method comprising contacting said polypeptide with a composition comprising FGFR3 receptor and, optionally, GT1b ganglioside, and detecting whether said polypeptide selectively binds FGFR3.

In another embodiment similar to the above aspect of the invention, the polypeptide comprises at least an FGFR3 binding domain, other than the H_(C) domain of BoNT/A. Such a binding domain may comprise, for example, an FGF, such as FGF 1, FGF2, FGF4, FGF8 or FGF 9, or an anti-FGFR3 antibody. Further, the polypeptide may optionally contain a translocation domain such as the H_(N) domain of BoNT/A. Additionally, the polypeptide will generally contain a clostridial neurotoxin light chain or variation thereof—the nature and/or source of the light chain can provide differences in the extent and half-life of the therapeutic effect of the polypeptide.

Thus, in this embodiment the claimed polypeptide is produced (which production may include purification, enzymatic treatment, and/or oxidation steps) from a bulk or formulation preparation. In one embodiment the preparation may be, for example, a cell lysate from fermentation of a BoNT/A-producing strain of Clostridium botulinum, or from a suitable mammalian, insect or bacterial host cell producing a recombinant version of BoNT/A. Such a bulk preparation may also be produced using cell-free transcription methodologies. In another embodiment the preparation may be purified BoNT/A formulated with associated stabilizing proteins, such as serum albumin. In each case, the preparation may comprise BoNT/A molecules which are denatured or otherwise incorrectly folded so as not to bind to the target cells. The potency and/or specific activity of the preparation, or of fractions purified from the preparation, can be detected by using the claimed assay method.

Alternatively, the polypeptide to be assayed may comprise only a portion of the entire BoNT/A molecule. For example, the bulk preparation may contain only the heavy chain of BoNT/A, as separate production of the heavy and light chains of the toxin may be a preferred way of avoiding accidental exposure to the neurotoxin by laboratory workers.

As another example of the above embodiment, the polypeptide may comprise a chimeric recombinant polypeptide which contains the H_(C) region of the heavy chain of BoNT/A (or some other FGFR3-binding moiety, such as FGF itself). The chimeric polypeptide comprises amino acid sequence regions additional to, or other than, those present in the wild-type BoNT/A BoNT/A molecule. For example, botulinum and tetanus toxins may be used as the basis for the creation of transport proteins, see, e.g., James Oliver Dolly et al., Modification of clostridial toxins for use as transport proteins, U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,794 (Mar. 20, 2001). The light chain of these transport proteins are generally either replaced by a therapeutic moiety or inactivated and coupled to such a therapeutic moiety. Additionally, chimeric neurotoxins can be made comprising polypeptides containing domains of more than one neurotoxin see, e.g., James Oliver Dolly et al., Activatable Recombinant Neurotoxins, International Publication No. WO 01/14570 (Mar. 1, 2001). Thus, this aspect of the invention also encompasses, as a embodiment, chimeric neurotoxins containing at least the H_(C) domain of BoNT/A. Such molecules may be useful in modulating the time or extent of the inhibition of secretory vesicle release. Further, it may be desirable to target agents, such as therapeutic agents, to the extracellular surface of the neural cell membrane. Thus, such an agent may be joined (e.g., as a fusion protein or via post translational conjugation) to the H_(C) portion of BoNT/A. In such a case the cell lysate or conjugation reaction mixture may comprise a batch preparation in accordance with this aspect of the invention.

The above-referenced polypeptides are screened for binding and/or internalization essentially as mentioned above in the described screening method embodiment.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is drawn to a method of marketing a polypeptide which contains a region capable of binding the FGFR3 receptor comprising obtaining permission from a governmental or regional drug regulatory authority to sell said polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is first produced from a bulk preparation which is assayed for selective binding of said polypeptide to neural cells by contacting the bulk preparation containing said polypeptide with a composition comprising FGFR3 receptor, and optionally GT1b ganglioside, and detecting whether said polypeptide selectively binds FGFR3 under such conditions, packaging said polypeptide for sale in a manner consistent with the requirements of said regulatory authority, and offering said polypeptide for sale.

In this embodiment the invention is drawn to a method of marketing a polypeptide containing the H_(C) region of a BoNT/A toxin. The polypeptide at issue in this embodiment of the invention is produced from a bulk preparation which is assayed for purity or activity using the screening method described previously. In a step of this method, permission is obtained from a regulatory body for the marketing of such polypeptide. In this context “permission” may be tacit or express; that is, permission or approval may be obtained from the regulatory authority for the sale of a therapeutic agent or composition comprising said polypeptide, in which case “permission” is marketing approval for the sale of such agent or composition. Alternatively, “permission”, as used herein, may comprise the assent, either affirmatively given or manifested by its lack of objection, of such regulatory authority to the continued sale of a product containing a polypeptide assayed in this new manner. As before, the polypeptide may comprise BoNT/A, or a derivative thereof, or a fusion protein or conjugate containing the H_(C) region of the BoNT/A heavy chain.

The therapeutic product comprising the polypeptide originally contained in the bulk preparation so assayed is labeled in accordance with the requirements of the regulatory authority. The product is then offered for sale. Offering for sale may comprise advertising or sales activity, educational seminars directed at doctors, hospitals, insurers, or patients, conversations with state, regional or governmental officials concerning subsidy reimbursement (such as Medicare or Medical).

EXAMPLES Example I Identification of a BoNT/A Receptor Using a Genetic Complementation Procedure 1. Identification of Cells Useful in Screening for a BoNT/A Receptor

1a. Identification of BoNT/A Receptor Lacking Cells Using an Inhibition Assay for Insulin Release

To determine whether HIT-T15 cells express a receptor for BoNT/A, an inhibition assay for insulin release was performed. In response to glucose stimulation, the hamster insulinoma cell line HIT-T15 secretes insulin in a exocytic process that depends on the activity of SNAP-25 for vesicle docking and fusion. If HIT-T15 cells lack a BoNT/A receptor, these cells would be unable to uptake BoNT/A upon exposure to this toxin and insulin secretion could occur in the presence of high glucose in the media. However, if HIT-T15 cells contain a BoNT/A receptor, insulin secretion would be inhibited after BoNT/A treatment since the toxin could intoxicate the cell and cleave SNAP-25.

To conduct an inhibition assay for insulin release, a suitable seed density of approximately 1.5×10⁵ cells/mL of HIT-T15 cells was plated into individual wells of 6-well, poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated, tissue culture plates containing 3 mL of complete Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1× penicillin/streptomycin solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 4 mM Glutamine (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reach a density of about 5×10⁵ cells/ml (6-16 hours). A group of HIT-T15 cells were treated with approximately 1 nM of PURE-A by introducing the toxin using electroporation using a GENE PULSER® II set at 960 μF and 0.28 kV (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). An untreated control group underwent electroporation without PURE-A. The media from the wells containing treated and untreated electroporated cells was replaced with 3 mL of fresh complete DMEM supplement with either 5.6 mM glucose (low glucose) or 25 mM glucose (high glucose) and these cells were incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 1 hour to induce insulin secretion. The conditioned media was transferred to 15 mL tubes and the amount of insulin present in the condition media samples was determined using an Insulin ELISA assay (Peninsula Laboratories, Inc., San Carlos, Calif.). Exocytosis is expressed as the amount of insulin secreted per 1.5×10⁵ cell/hr. Insulin release was detected in BoNT/A-untreated cells simulated by 25 mM glucose, but insulin secretion was inhibited in BoNT/A-treated cells (see FIG. 3 a). These data indicate that the release of insulin in HIT-T15 cells is mediated, in part, by SNAP-25, but that these cells lack a BoNT/A receptor.

1b. Identification of BoNT/A Receptor Lacking Cells Using an Using a SNAP-25 Cleavage Assay

To determine whether HIT-T15 cells express a receptor for BoNT/A, a SNAP-25 cleavage assay was performed. If HIT-T15 cells lack a BoNT/A receptor, then only the presence of the uncleaved SNAP-25 substrate would be detected after Western blot analysis. However, if HIT-T15 cells contain a BoNT/A receptor, then the toxin could intoxicate the cell and the presence of the cleaved BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ product would be detected.

To conduct a SNAP-25 cleavage assay, cells were grown in poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated 6-well plates and treated with PURE-A as described above in Example I, 1a. Cells were collected in 15 ml tubes, washed once with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and then transferred to 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol and 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate), with rotation for 1 hour at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations were measured by Bradford's method and resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/mL or higher concentration.

To detect for the presence of a cleaved BoNT/A substrate, samples were boiled for 5 min, and 40 μl aliquots were separated by MOPS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using NuPAGE® Novex 4-12% Bis-Tris precast polyacrylamide gels (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) under denaturing, reducing conditions. Separated peptides were transferred from the gel onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) by Western blotting using a Trans-Blot® SD semi-dry electrophoretic transfer cell apparatus (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). PVDF membranes were blocked by incubating at room temperature for 2 hours in a solution containing 25 mM Tris-Buffered Saline (25 mM 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol hydrochloric acid (Tris-HCl) (pH 7.4), 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium chloride), 0.1% TWEEN-200, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaureate, 2% bovine serum albumin, 5% nonfat dry milk. Blocked membranes were incubated at 4° C. for overnight in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-200 (25 mM Tris-Buffered Saline, 0.1% TWEEN-20®, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaureate) containing a 1:5,000 dilution of rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum pAb anti-SNAP25197 #1, a polyclonal antibody which is specific for the SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product and does not cross-react with full-length SNAP25₂₀₆, (Allergan, Inc., generated under contract with Zymed Laboratories Inc., South San Francisco, Calif.). Primary antibody probed blots were washed three times for 15 minutes each time in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20®. Washed membranes were incubated at room temperature for 2 hours in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20® containing a 1:20,000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) as a secondary antibody. Secondary antibody-probed blots were washed three times for 15 minutes each time in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20®. Signal detection of the labeled BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was visualized using the ECL Plus™ Western Blot Detection System (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.) and the membrane was imaged and cleavage product quantitated with a Typhoon 9410 Variable Mode Imager and Imager Analysis software (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.). The choice of pixel size (100 to 200 pixels) and PMT voltage settings (350 to 600, normally 400) depended on the individual blot. A BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was detected in HIT-T15 cell treated with BoNT/A but not untreated cells, indicating that HIT-T15 cells express SNAP-25 but not the BoNT/A receptor (see FIG. 3 b).

1c. Assessment of BoNT/A Exposure on HIT-T15 Growth

To evaluate if the presence of the toxin in the cells affect cell growth, HIT-T15 cells were electroporated as described above in Example I, 1a and monitored for 10 days. FIG. 4 a demonstrates that the presence of the toxin delayed growth when compared to controls, but toxin-treated cells were able to replicate normally after a recovery period. Cell aliquots for days 3, 5, 7 and 10 were also tested for the presence of the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product using the SNAP-25 cleavage assay as described above in Example I, 1b. FIG. 4 b shows that cleavage of SNAP-25 was detected by Western blot analysis at all time points assayed when PURE-A was introduced into the cells.

2. Identification of BoNT/A Receptor Using Genetic Complementation

To identify a BoNT/A receptor, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a BoNT/A receptor was cloned by genetic complementation. This procedure involves introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding the BoNT/A receptor into a cell line that does not contain the receptor naturally by retroviral transduction, see, e.g., Mitchell H. Finer et al., Methods for Production of High Titer Virus and High Efficiency Retroviral Mediated Transduction of Mammalian Cells, U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,740 (Jul. 12, 1999).

2a. Production of a Retroviral Stock Containing pLIB Expression Constructs

To produce an retroviral stock containing expression constructs encoding human brain nucleic acid molecules, about 5×10⁵ HEK 293-based cells (AmphoPack™ 293 cells; BD Biosciences Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) were plated in 60 mm tissue culture dishes containing 5 mL of complete Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1× penicillin/streptomycin solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 4 mM Glutamine (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reach 60% to 80% confluency or a density of about 1 to 2×10⁶ cells/ml (12-24 hours). On the day of transfection, the complete, supplemented DMEM media was replaced with 3 mL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium. A 500 μL transfection solution is prepared by adding 250 μL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium containing 15 μL of LipofectAmine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes to 250 μL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium containing 5 μg of pLIB retroviral expression constructs containing nucleic acid molecules derived from human brain cells (BD Biosciences Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). This transfection is incubated at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. The 500 μL transfection solution was then added to the AmphoPack™ 293 cells and the cells were incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 8-10 hours. The transfection media was replaced with 3 mL of fresh complete, supplemented DMEM and cells were incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 48-72 hours. The retrovirus-containing cells are harvested by detaching the cells using the culture media and scraping cells from the culture plate. Detached cells and media are transferred to a 15 mL tube and centrifuged (5,000×g at 20° C. for 15 minutes) to pellet the cellular debris. The clarified supernatant containing the retroviral particles is transferred to 2 mL cryovials in 1 mL aliquots and should contain approximately 5×10⁴ to 5×10⁶ tu/mL of retroviral particles. Aliquots can be stored at −80° C. until needed.

2b. Transduction of Cells with a Retroviral Stock Containing pLIB Expression Constructs

To transduce cells with a retroviral stock containing expression constructs encoding human brain nucleic acid molecules, about 1.5×10⁵ HIT-T15 cells were plated in 60 mm tissue culture dishes containing 5 mL of complete Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Media (DMEM), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1× penicillin/streptomycin solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 4 mM Glutamine (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reach 60% to 80% confluency or a density of about 5×10⁵ cells/mL (6-16 hours). Cells are inoculated with the retroviral stock containing nucleic acid molecules derived from human brain cells (see Example I, 2a), using a suitable multiplicity of infection. Approximately 4-8 μg/mL of polybrene was then added and the cells were incubated for approximately 16-24 hours in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide. The transduction media is replaced with 5 mL of fresh complete, supplemented DMEM and the cells were incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately four days. The transduced cells were then used to conduct a screening assay to identify a BoNT/A receptor. For greater details on procedures described in this example, see Retroviral Gene Transfer and Expression User Manual PT3132-1 (PR43789), BD Biosciences Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif., (Mar. 3, 2004).

2c. Screening of HIT-T15 Cells Expressing a Retroviral cDNA Library

To screen for cells expressing a BoNT/A receptor, transduced HIT-T15 cells as described above in Example I, 2b were screened based on their ability to bind Dynex Beads coated with Pure A (ref). Approximately 7.5 mg of Dynabeads® magnetic beads (Dynal Biotechnology, LLC, Brown Deer, Wis.) coated with an antibody against the light chain of BONT/A was added to the media for 30 minutes at 4° C. and cells binding to the BoNT/A light chain were isolated as clumps of cells after exposure to a magnet. These isolated cells were washed once with PBS and transferred to new 60 mm tissue culture dishes containing 5 mL of complete DMEM. These cells were re-screened with 7.5 mg of Dynabeads® magnetic beads coated with PURE-A for 30 minutes at 4° C. and cells binding to PURE-A were isolated as clumps of cells after exposure to a magnet (see FIG. 5). These re-isolated cell colonies were transferred to 96-well plates containing 0.25 mL of complete DMEM and the cells were grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until confluent.

To test for the presence of a BoNT/A receptor, individual, cells contained in the 96-well plates were assayed using the inhibition assay for insulin release assay, as describes above in Example I, 1a. Cell lines containing a candidate BoNT/A receptor were selected based on the detection of the inhibition of insulin release. FIG. 6 show that transduced HIT-T15 cell lines C6 and C7 as candidate cell lines expressing a BoNT/A receptor. To confirm these results, expanded cultures of clones C6 and C7 as described above in Example I, 2a and tested using the inhibition of insulin release assay and the SNAP-25 cleavage assay, as described above in Example I, 1 b. The results indicate that a BoNT/A receptor is present in these cell lines based on the inhibition of insulin release (see FIG. 7 a) and the presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product (see FIG. 7 b).

2d. Cloning of BoNT/A Receptor

To isolate nucleic acid molecules encoding the BoNT/A receptor, DNA will be purified from the BoNT/A receptor-containing HIT-T15 cell isolates identified above in Example I, 2c and the nucleic acid molecule encoding the BoNT/A receptor will be cloned using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Genomic DNA from the C7 cell line will be isolated by an alkaline lysis procedure and will be amplified in PCR reactions using the ADVANTAGE® Genomic PCR kit (BD Biosciences Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) and the following two oligonucleotides 5′-AGCCCTCACTCCTTCTCTAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 29) and 5′-ACCTACAGGTGGGGTCTTTC ATTCCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 30). Reactions will be incubated at 95° C. for 1 minute, followed by 25 cycles at 68° C. for 30 seconds and 95° C. for 30 seconds, followed by 1 cycle at 68° C. for 6 minutes and final incubation at 4° C. The resulting PCR product will be purified from the PCR reaction by the QIAquick Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.), and will subjected to a second PCR amplification. The oligonucleotides used in the second PCR will be nested primers designed to anneal to sequences found within the PCR product originally purified, and will have the following nucleotide sequences: 5′-CCCTGGGTCAAGCCCTTTGTACACC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 31) and 5′-TGCCAAACCTACA GGTGGGGTCTTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 32). The resulting nested DNA product will be subcloned into a pTOPO®-XL vector using the TOPO® TA cloning method (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.). The ligation mixture will be transformed into chemically competent E. coli TOP10 cells (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) using a heat shock method, will be plated on 1.5% Luria-Bertani agar plates (pH 7.0) containing 100 μg/mL of Ampicillin, and will be placed in a 37° C. incubator for overnight growth. Ampicillin-resistant colonies will be analyzed using an alkaline lysis plasmid mini-preparation procedure and candidate receptor constructs will be screened by restriction endonuclease mapping to determine the presence and orientation of the correct insert fragment. Cultures containing the desired expression construct will be used to inoculate 1 L baffled flasks containing 200 mL of Luria-Bertani media containing 100 μg/mL of Ampicillin and will be placed in a 37° C. incubator, shaking at 250 rpm, for overnight growth. Purified plasmid DNA corresponding to an expression construct will be isolated using the QIAGEN Maxi-prep method (QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, Calif.) and will be sequenced to verify that the correct expression construct was made (service contract with Sequetech Corp., Mountain View, Calif.). This cloning strategy will identified the sequence composition of the BoNT/A receptor contained in HIT-T15 C7 isolate.

Example II Identification of a BoNT/A Receptor Using a Cross-Linking Procedure

1. Identification of Cell Lines with High Affinity Uptake for BoNT/A

Distinct sensitivities to each of the BoNT serotypes might be expected based on the individual receptor systems for each different toxin serotype and their differing expression in different cell lines. The presence of a high affinity receptor system in a cell for BoNT can be characterized by two attributes: a rapid uptake of the neurotoxin by the cell, and a low neurotoxin concentration needed for cell intoxication. To identify a cell line having a high affinity receptor system for a BoNT/A, we tested cell lines using one of two different in vitro cleavage assay, one to determine the amount of toxin required for intoxication, the other to determine the length of time necessary for the cell to uptake the neurotoxin.

1a. Assay to Determine the BoNT/A Concentration Necessary for Cell Intoxication

In order to assess the amount of BoNT/A needed to intoxicate a cell, a panel of mammalian cell lines of neuronal origin (see Table 3) was screened to determine whether toxin exposure would result in the cleavage of endogenously expressed SNAP-25. A suitable seed density of cells from each line was plated into individual wells of 6-well, poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated, tissue culture plates containing 3 mL of a suitable medium (see Table 3), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 24 hours. BoNT/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) was added at different concentrations (0 nM, 1 nM, 5 nM, 12.5 nM, 25 nM, 50 nM) in the culture medium containing the cells for approximately 8 or approximately 16 hours. Cells were collected in 15 ml tubes, washed once with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and then transferred to 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N, N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol and 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate), with rotation for 1 hour at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations were measured by Bradford's method and resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/ml or higher concentration.

The presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example I, 1b. A BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was detected in the cell lines SH-SY5Y, NG108-15, N1E-115, Neuro-2A and SK-N-BE(2) after at least an 8 hour incubation with at least 5 nM BoNT/A, thereby indicating the ability of BoNT/A to intoxicate these cell lines (see FIG. 8 a).

The mouse neuroblastoma cell line Neuro-2A was further analyzed with lower concentrations of BoNT/A to determine the concentration of neurotoxin necessary to cleave endogenously expressed SNAP-25. Cells were grown in poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated 6-well plates as described above in Example II, 1a. BoNT/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) was added at different concentrations (0 nM, 0.05 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.2 nM, 0.5 nM, 1 nM, 5 nM and 20 nM) in the culture medium containing cells for either approximately 8 or approximately 16 hours. Toxin treated cells were harvested and lysed as described above in Example II, 1a. The presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 1a. A BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was detected in the cell line Neuro-2A after at least a 8 hour incubation with at least 0.5 nM BoNT/A, thereby indicating the ability of BoNT/A to intoxicate these cell lines (see FIG. 8 c).

1b. Assay to Determine the Time Required by a Cell to Uptake BoNT/A

In order to assess the amount of time needed by a cell line to uptake BoNT/A, a panel of mammalian cell lines of neuronal origin was screened to determine the length of toxin exposure necessary to cleave endogenously expressed SNAP-25. Cells from each line were grown in poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated 6-well plates as described above in Example II, 1a. Approximately 1 nM BoNT/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) was added to the culture medium for 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 60 min 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours or 16 hours. Toxin treated cells were collected and lysed as described above in Example II, 1a. The presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 1a. A BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was detected in the cell lines Neuro-2A, SH-SY5Y, and NG108-15 after at least an 8 hour incubation with 1 nM BoNT/A, thereby indicating the ability of these cell lines to rapidly uptake BoNT/A (see FIG. 8 b).

TABLE 3 Culture Conditions for Cell Lines Cell Line Complete Culture Media Passage Conditions Seed Density (cells/mm²) SK-N-DZ 90% DMEM, A Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:4 dilution split every 2-3 day 4.25 × 10³ SK-N-F1 90% DMEM, A Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:4 dilution spilt twice a week 4.25 × 10³ SK-N-SH Ham's F12, DMEM or EMEM, B Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:20 dilution split every 4-7 day 4.25 × 10³ SH-SY5Y EMEM and Ham's F12 1:1, C Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:6 dilution split every 2-3 day 4.25 × 10³ SK-N-BE(2) EMEM and Ham's F12 1:1, D Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:6 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ BE(2)-C EMEM and Ham's F12 1:1, D Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:4 dilution split every 2-3 day 4.25 × 10³ BE(2)-M17 EMEM and Ham's F12 1:1, D Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:20 dilution split every 4-7 day 4.25 × 10³ Neuro 2a EMEM, E Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ C1300 RPMI 1640, B Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ NB4 1A3 Ham's F10, F Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ N1E-115 DMEM, G Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ NG108-15 DMEM, B 1:4 dilution split every 1-2 days 4.25 × 10³ HCN-1A DMEM, H Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ HCN-2 DMEM, H Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ TE 189.T DMEM, H Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ ND8/34 DMEM, B Trypsin/EDTA treatment, 1:3 dilution split every 3 day 4.25 × 10³ A contains 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 0.1 mM Non-essential amino acids (NEAA), 4 mM Glutamine & 10% Fetal Calf serum (FCS) B contains 2 mM Glutamine & 10% FCS C contains 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 0.1 mM NEAA, 4 mM Glutamine, 1% sodium pyruvate, 1% penicillin/streptomycin (P/S) & 10% FCS D contains 0.1 mM NEAA, 4 mM Glutamine, & 10% FCS E contains 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate, 0.1 mM NEAA, 2 mM Glutamine, 1 mM sodium pyruvate & 10% FCS F contains 2 mM Glutamine, 15% Horse Serum & 2.5% FCS G contains 4.5 g/L glucose & 10% FCS H contains 4 mM glucose & 10% FCS Freeze medium comprises 95% culture medium and 5% DMSO 1c. Ganglioside Treatment to Increase High Affinity Uptake of BoNT/A by a Cell

In order to assess the effect of ganglioside treatment on the ability of BoNT/A to intoxicate a cell, a Neuro-2A cell line was pre-treated with different gangliosides to determine whether these sugar moieties could increase the uptake of BoNT/A by these cells. Neuro-2A cells were plated at a suitable density into individual wells of 6-well, poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated, tissue culture plates containing 3 mL of a suitable medium (see Table 3), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide. After approximately 24 hours, the medium was replaced by a serum-free media and 25 μg/mL of one of the following gangliosides was added to individual wells: GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b (AXXORA, LLC, San Diego, Calif.). After an overnight 37° C. incubation period, the ganglioside-treated cells were washed three times with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 and then incubated at 37° C. with 1% serum media containing different concentrations (0 nM, 12.5 nM, 25 nM, 50 nM) of BoNT/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) for approximately 8 or approximately 16 hours. Cells were collected in 15 ml tubes, washed once with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and then transferred to 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol and 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate), with rotation for 1 hour at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations were measured by Bradford's method and resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/ml or higher concentration. The presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 1a. An increase in BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was detected in the Neuro-2A cell line treated with the ganglioside GT1b, thereby indicating that GT1b-treatment can increase the uptake of BoNT/A by Neuro-2A cells (see FIG. 9 a).

1d. Ganglioside Treatment to Increase High Affinity Uptake of BoNT/E by a Cell

In order to assess the effect of ganglioside treatment on the ability of BoNT/E to intoxicate a cell, a Neuro-2A cell line was pre-treated with different gangliosides to determine whether these sugar moieties could increase the uptake of BoNT/E by these cells. Neuro-2A cells were grown in poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated 6-well plates and treated with gangliosides as described above in Example II, 1c. The ganglioside-treated cells were incubated with BoNT/E (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) at different concentrations (0 nM, 12.5 nM, 25 nM, 50 nM) in 1% serum media for either approximately 6 or approximately 16 hours. Toxin treated cells were harvested and lysed as described above in Example II, 1c. The presence of a BoNT/E SNAP25₁₈₀-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example I, 1b, with the exception that blocked PVDF membranes were incubated in a primary antibody solution containing a 1:50,000 dilution of mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody (SMI-81; Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.) rather than the rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP25 antiserum pAb anti-SNAP25197 #1 and a secondary antibody solution containing a 1:20,000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-mouse immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) rather than the goat polyclonal anti-rabbit IgG-HRP antibody in order to detect a BoNT/E SNAP25₁₈₀-cleavage product. An increase in BoNT/E SNAP25₁₈₀-cleavage product was detected in the Neuro-2A cell lines treated with the gangliosides GD3, GD1b and GD1a, thereby indicating that GD3-treatment, GD1b-treatment or GD1a-treatment can increase the uptake of BoNT/E by Neuro-2A cells (see FIG. 9 b).

2. Isolation of BoNT/A Receptor from Neuro-2A Cells

Neuro-2A cells were chosen to conduct ligand cross-linking experiments using BoNT/A since these cells had a rapid toxin uptake profile (about 10 minutes) and high affinity for BoNT/A. The trifunctional sulfo-SBED (Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) were used. The reagent sulfo-SBED contains three reactive groups (one of them designed to be UV-activated) and is designed to biotinylate a target protein.

To conjugate a cross-linking agent to a BoNT/A, approximately 100 μg of Pure A is centrifuged at 10,000×g at 4° C. for 10 minutes to pellet the toxin and brought up in a final volume of 900 μL of phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). The solution is then transferred to the dark and 900 μL of 0.25 mM SBED, 1% DMSO solution is added and incubated in a 4° C. for two hours in a secondary container on shaking apparatus. The reaction is stopped by adding 50 μL of 1M TRIS (pH 7.4). The solution is inverted 6 times and incubated on ice for 30 minutes. The resulting PURE-A-SBED solution was used to conduct cross-linking experiments to identify a BoNT/A receptor.

To cross-link PURE-A to BoNT/A receptors present on Neuro-2A cells, about 1.5×10⁵ Neuro-2A cells were plated in a 35 mm tissue culture dish containing 3 mL of complete EMEM, supplemented with 10% FBS, 2 mM glutamine (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate and 1×MEM non-essential amino acids solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reached a density of about 5×10⁵ cells/ml. The Neuro-2A cells were harvested by detaching the cells with a trypsin treatment, transferring the cells to 15 ml tubes, and centrifuging the cells at 5,000×g at 4° C. for 10 min. The cell pellet is washed three times with 9 mL of Tris-buffered saline, and then divided into aliquots of 4×10⁵ cells. Each aliquot of cells is suspended in 12 mL cold Tris-buffered saline for a final density of 2×10⁷ cells/mL, and placed on ice for 15 minutes. To one aliquot of cell suspension, 1 mL of PURE-A-SBED is added, final concentratin is approximately 100 μg PURE A (33 nM). To a second cell aliquot, sulfo-SBED only is added and serves as a control for false positives. Both Neuro-2 cell suspensions were incubated at 4° C. for two hours in a secondary container using a shaking apparatus and then each cell solution is distributed in 13 aliquots of 1.0 mL. These aliquots were exposed to ultraviolet radiation (365 nm) at 4° C. for 15 minutes.

The cells were centrifugation at 5,000×g at 4° C. for 15 minutes and washed once with 1 mL cold Tris-buffered saline. Washed cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol, 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate) and suitable protease inhibitors, with rotation overnight at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5,000 rpm at 4° C. for 10 min to eliminate debris, the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes and 0.05 mL of avidin-beads were added to the cleared supernatants. This mixture was incubated at 4° C. for 3 hours. The avidin beads were then washed twice by centrifuging at 1000×g at 4° C. for 10 min to pellet beads, decanting the supernatant, adding 0.5 mL lysis buffer and incubating the solution at 4° C. for 10 minutes. The avidin beads were then washed twice with 0.5 mL phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4). Approximately 100 μL of SDS-PAGE loading buffer was added to the washed, pelleted avidin beads and boiled for 10 minutes. A 40 μL aliquot was then subjected to MOPS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using NuPAGE® Novex 4-12% Bis-Tris precast polyacrylamide gels (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) under non-denaturing and denaturing, reducing conditions. FIG. 10 a shows an approximately 250 kDa protein in non-reducing gels which represents the intact cross-linking reagent PURE-A-SBED toxin bound to the putative BoNT/A receptor. Same samples run under denaturing conditions and reveals an approximately 100 kDa protein was co-purified with PURE-A-SBED.

To determine the identity of the BoNT/A receptor isolated from the cross-linking experiments, western blot analysis was performed using antibodies to the cytoplasmic region of the polypeptides FGF 1 receptor (FGFR1), FGF 2 receptor (FGFR2), FGF 3 receptor (FGFR3) and FGF 4 receptor (FGFR4). Approximately 40 μL aliquots of the precipitated receptor-PureA complex, obtained as described above in Example II, 2, were separated by MOPS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using NuPAGE® Novex 4-12% Bis-Tris precast polyacrylamide gels (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) under non-reducing and denaturing, reducing conditions. Separated peptides were transferred from the gel onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) by Western blotting using a Trans-Blot® SD semi-dry electrophoretic transfer cell apparatus (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.). PVDF membranes were blocked by incubating at room temperature for 2 hours in a solution containing 25 mM Tris-Buffered Saline (25 mM 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol hydrochloric acid (Tris-HCl) (pH 7.4), 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium chloride), 0.1% TWEEN-20®, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaureate, 2% bovine serum albumin, 5% nonfat dry milk. Blocked membranes were incubated at 4° C. for overnight in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20® (25 mM Tris-Buffered Saline, 0.1% TWEEN-20®, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaureate) containing one of the following primary antibody solutions: 1) a 1:1000 dilution of rabbit polyclonal anti-FGFR1 antiserum (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.); 2) a 1:1000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-FGFR2 antiserum (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.); 3) a 1:1000 dilution of rabbit polyclonal anti-FGFR3 (C15) antiserum (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.); or 4) a 1:1000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-FGFR4 antiserum (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.). Primary antibody probed blots were washed three times for 15 minutes each time in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20®. Washed membranes were incubated at room temperature for 2 hours in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20® containing either a 1:20,000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) as a secondary antibody for the FGFR1 and FGFR3 blots or a 1:20,000 dilution of rabbit polyclonal anti-goat immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) for the FGFR2 and FGFR4 blots. Secondary antibody-probed blots were washed three times for 15 minutes each time in Tris-Buffered Saline TWEEN-20®. Signal detection of the labeled BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was visualized using the ECL Plus™ Western Blot Detection System (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.) and the membrane was imaged and cleavage product quantitated with a Typhoon 9410 Variable Mode Imager and Imager Analysis software (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J.). The choice of pixel size (100 to 200 pixels) and PMT voltage settings (350 to 600, normally 400) depended on the individual blot. A band was detected in toxin-receptor sample probed with anti-FGFR3 antiserum of approximately 97 kDa that is consistent with the size of FGFR3, indicating that FGFR3 is a BoNT/A receptor (see FIG. 10 b).

3. Identification of BoNT/A Receptor from Various Cells

Several cells lines responsive to BoNT/A uptake were probed with antibodies raised against FGFR1, FGFR2, FGFR3 and FGFR4 in order to determine which FGFRs these cell lines express. In addition, cells from the BoNT/A unresponsive HIT-T15 wild-type cell line and the BoNT/A responsive HIT-T15 isolate C7 cell line, as described above in Example I, 2c and 2d, were examined. To determine the presence of FGFRs in cell lines responsive to BoNT/A exposure, cells were grown, harvested and lysed as described above in Example II, 1a, 1b or 2c and 40 μL aliquots were subjected to Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 2. These results indicate that the BoNT/A responsive cell lines Neuro-2A, SH-SY5Y and HIT-T15-C7 all express FGFR3, while the BoNT/A unresponsive wild-type HIT-T15 does not (see FIG. 11). The data also from the revealed that FGFR2 and FGFR4 were not detected in any of the cell lines tested, while FGFR1 was present in all cell lines tested, including wild-type HIT-T15 cells that are unresponsive to BoNT/A exposure (see FIG. 11).

4. Competitive Competition Assays

To corroborate that BoNT/A toxin enters Neuro-2A cells through the FGFR3 we performed a competition experiment with PURE-A and analyzed the responsiveness of tested using the SNAP-25 cleavage assay, as described above in Example I, 1 b. If BoNT/A and an FGFR3 ligand bind to the same receptor, then increasing amounts of FGF ligand should result in decreased responsiveness of a cell to BoNT/A exposure. However, if BoNT/A and an FGFR3 ligand bind to the different receptors, then increasing amounts of FGF ligand should have no effect of the responsiveness of a cell to BoNT/A exposure. Table 1, which Applicants do not claim is a complete tabulation of FGF receptors and species, shows certain members of the family of FGFRs and their known ligands and tissue distribution.

To determine whether ligands for FGFR3 can competitively compete with BoNT/A for binding to FGFR3, about 5×10⁵ Neuro-2A cells were plated in individual wells of a 6-well, poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated, tissue culture plates containing 3 mL of EMEM, supplemented with 2 mM glutamine (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate and 1×MEM non-essential amino acids solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reached confluency. Approximately 5 nM PURE-A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.) was added in conjunction with FGF1, FGF2 or both FGF1 and FGF2 at different concentrations (0 nM, 0.1 nM, 1 nM, 5 nM, 50 nM, 200 nM) in the culture medium containing the cells and incubated for at 37° C. for approximately 10 minutes Cells were collected in 15 ml tubes, washed once with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and then transferred to 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol and 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate), with rotation for 1 hour at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations were measured by Bradford's method and resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/ml or higher concentration.

The presence of a BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product was determined by Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 1a, with the exception that blocked PVDF membranes will be incubated in a primary antibody solution containing a 1:50,000 dilution of mouse monoclonal anti-SNAP-25 antibody (SMI-81; Sternberger Monoclonals, Lutherville, Md.) rather than the rabbit polyclonal anti-SNAP-25 antiserum pAb anti-SNAP25197 #1 and a secondary antibody solution containing a 1:20,000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-mouse immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.) rather than the goat polyclonal anti-rabbit IgG-HRP antibody in order to detect both the uncleaved SNAP-25 substrate and BoNT/A SNAP25₁₉₇-cleavage product. An increasing amount an increasing amount of FGF ligands, indicating these FGF1 and FGF2 compete for the same receptor as BoNT/A and further confirming that FGFR3 is a BoNT/A receptor (see FIG. 12).

Example III

A fusion protein comprising the C terminal portion of the heavy chain of BoNT/A and the light chain of BoNT/E is tested for its ability to selectively bind and intoxicate BoNT/A susceptible cells. A preparation comprising dilutions of the fusion protein is incubated with HIT-T15 insulinoma cells expressing exogenous FGFR3 in the presence of GT1b ganglioside. The ability of the fusion peptide to bind and enter the insulinoma cells is detected by detecting secretion of insulin in response to the presence of glucose, as described above in Example I, 1a. By contrast, insulin secretion is unaffected in cells not expressing FGFR3.

The results of this assay show that amount of insulin secreted into the culture medium is decreased in a dose-dependent manner when the fusion protein is added to the culture medium. Western blots of cell lysates will show the conversion of full length SNAP-25 to the cleaved form typical of the proteolytic activity of the BoNT/E light chain protease. This assay therefore is useful in showing that the fusion peptide is able to bind and enter BoNT/A susceptible cells.

The same fusion protein is capable of intoxicating cells of the neuromuscular junction.

Example IV

A fusion protein comprising the receptor binding portion of an FGF species capable of binding FGFR3 (including FGF1, FGF2, FGF4 and FGF9) and the translocation domain and light chain of BoNT/E is tested for its ability to selectively bind and intoxicate BoNT/A susceptible cells. The assay is conducted as described in Example 1 above, with similar results; the detected cleaved SNAP-25 fragments are characteristic of BoNT/A intoxication.

Example V

BoNT/A, produced from fermentation of Clostridium botulinum is produced using standard fermentation techniques. Either or both the bulk preparation and purified, formulated versions of expressed toxin are tested for purity and activity as follows. A preparation comprising dilutions of the BoNT/A preparation is incubated with HIT-T15 insulinoma cells expressing exogenous FGFR3 in the presence of GT1b ganglioside. The ability of the toxin to bind and enter the insulinoma cells is detected by detecting secretion of insulin in response to the presence of glucose, as described above in Example I, 1a. The specific activity of the preparation can be calculated from the determined protein concentration and the activity of the preparation at various doses.

These data are submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by a pharmaceutical company as part of data demonstrating how BoNT/A is manufactured and tested. This information is considered by the FDA, who decides to permit the manufacture and sale of this lot of BoNT/A, and subsequent lots made and tested in a similar manner, as a therapeutic pharmaceutical product based in part on this bulk and/or formulation assay data.

The pharmaceutical comprising the BoNT/A is then offered for sale as a prescription medication.

Example VI

Same as Example V, however the polypeptide produced is the fusion neurotoxin of Example III, produced in E. coli. Both bulk and/or formulation lots of the fusion neurotoxin are tested as indicated above, the data submitted to the FDA, and a decision to grant marketing approval, or continued sales of such fusion polypeptide as a therapeutic agent, is made by the FDA based at least in part on such data. The pharmaceutical company then offers the fusion neurotoxin for sale as a prescription therapeutic agent.

Example VII

An in vitro assay is established using cloned FGFR3 bound to a solid support in the presence of ganglioside GT1b. The bound FGFR3 is first saturated with BoNT/A heavy chain (H chain) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and washed free of unbound FGF. A test compound from a combinatorial library of compounds is contacted with the receptor under substantially physiological conditions (e.g., PBS), and the eluate collected. The H chain concentration in the eluate is compared to the H chain concentration of a control eluate in which H chain was not first bound to FGFR3. Test compounds which are able to strongly bind FGFR3 and compete with H chain for FGFR3 binding (for example, by the method described in this section) are candidates compounds for the development of an antidote to acute botulism poisoning.

Example VIII Generation of Cells Stably Containing a FGFR3

1. Construction of pQBI25/FGFR3

To construct pQBI-25/FGFR3, a nucleic acid fragment encoding the amino acid region comprising FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4 is amplified from a human brain cDNA library using a polymerase chain reaction method and subcloned into a pCR2.1 vector using the TOPO® TA cloning method (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.). The forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers used for this reaction are designed to include unique restriction enzyme sites useful for subsequent subcloning steps. The resulting pCR2.1/FGFR3 construct is digested with restriction enzymes that 1) excise the insert containing the entire open reading frame encoding the FGFR3; and 2) enable this insert to be operably-linked to a pQBI-25 vector (Qbiogene, Inc., Irvine, Calif.). This insert is subcloned using a T4 DNA ligase procedure into a pQBI-25 vector that is digested with appropriate restriction endonucleases to yield pQBI-25/FGFR3. The ligation mixture is transformed into chemically competent E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) using a heat shock method, plated on 1.5% Luria-Bertani agar plates (pH 7.0) containing 100 μg/mL of Ampicillin, and placed in a 37° C. incubator for overnight growth. Bacteria containing expression constructs are identified as Ampicillin resistant colonies. Candidate constructs are isolated using an alkaline lysis plasmid mini-preparation procedure and analyzed by restriction endonuclease digest mapping to determine the presence and orientation of the inset. This cloning strategy yields a mammalian expression construct encoding the FGFR3 of SEQ ID NO: 4 operably-linked to the expression elements of the pQBI-25 vector.

2. Stably Transformed Cells Using a Recombinant Crossing-Over Procedure

To generate a stably-integrated cell line expressing a FGFR3 using a crossing over procedure, a suitable density (1×10⁵ to 1×106⁶ cells) of appropriate cells, such as, e.g., HIT-T15 or Neuro2A, are plated in a 35 mm tissue culture dish containing 3 mL of complete, supplemented culture media and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reached a density appropriate for transfection. A 500 μL transfection solution is prepared by adding 250 μL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium containing 15 μL of LipofectAmine 2000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) incubated at room temperature for 5 minutes to 250 μL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium containing 5 μg of expression construct encoding a FGFR3, such as, e.g., pQBI-25/FGFR3 (see Examples VIII, 1). This transfection was incubated at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. The complete, supplemented media is replaced with 2 mL of OPTI-MEM Reduced Serum Medium and the 500 μL transfection solution is added to the cells and the cells are incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 16 hours. Transfection media is replaced with 3 mL of fresh complete, supplemented culture media and the cells are incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 48 hours. Media is replaced with 3 mL of fresh complete, supplemented culture media, containing approximately 5 μg/mL of G418. Cells are incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 4 weeks, with old media being replaced with fresh G418 selective, complete, supplemented media every 4 to 5 days. Once G418-resistant colonies are established, resistant clones are replated to new 35 mm culture plates containing fresh complete culture media, supplemented with approximately 5 μg/mL of G418 until these cells reached a density of 6 to 20×10⁵ cells/mL.

To test for expression of a FGFR3 from isolated cell lines that stably-integrated an expression construct encoding a FGFR3, such as, e.g., pQBI-25/FGFR3 (see Examples VIII, 1), approximately 1.5×10⁵ cells from each cell line are plated in a 35 mm tissue culture dish containing 3 mL of G418-selective, complete, supplemented DMEM and are grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until cells reached a density of about 5×10⁵ cells/ml (6-16 hours). Media is replaced with 3 mL of fresh G418-selective, complete, supplemented culture media and cells are incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide. After 48 hours, the cells are harvested by rinsing the cells once with 3.0 mL of 100 mM phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 and are lysed with a buffer containing 62.6 mM 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol hydrochloric acid (Tris-HCl), pH 6.8 and 2% sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS). Lysed cells are centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants are transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations are measured by Bradford's method and are resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/ml or higher concentration.

To detect for the presence of a FGFR3, samples are separated by MOPS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analyzed by Western blotting procedures as described above in Example II, 2 using a 1:1000 dilution of rabbit polyclonal anti-FGFR3 (C15) antiserum (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.), in order to identify cell lines that have stably integrated and express the FGFR3 substrate.

Example IX FGFR3 Phosphorylation Studies 1. Phosphorylation of FGFR-3 Exposed to FGF or BoNT/A

When bound by specific ligands, FGFR's are auto-phosphorylated on specific tyrosine residues. This begins the process of internalization of both the receptor and the ligand into the endosomal pathway. If BoNT/A binds to FGFR3, then exposure to BoNT/A should cause the auto-phosphorylation of FGFR3 in exposed cells.

To determine whether BoNT/A binding resulted in FGFR3 phosphorylation, approximately 1.5×10⁵ Neuro-2A cells were plated into the wells of 6-well, poly-D-lysine/Laminin coated, tissue culture plates containing 3 mL of serum-free EMEM, supplemented with 1 mM sodium pyruvate (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), 1.5 g/L sodium bicarbonate and 1×MEM non-essential amino acids solution (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.), and grown in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide until the cells reached a density of about 5×10⁵ cells/ml. The serum-free media was replaced with fresh supplemented EMEM containing 1% FBS (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and either 5 nM FGF-2 (Biosource International, Camarillo, Calif.) or 5 nM of PURE/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.). The cells were then incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 30 min, with unexposed cells used as time 0. Cells were collected in 15 ml tubes, washed once with 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4, and then transferred to 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Cells were lysed in 0.5 ml of lysis buffer containing 50 mM N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N′-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES), pH 6.8, 150 mM sodium chloride, 1.5 mM magnesium chloride, 1 mM ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N, N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 10% glycerol and 1% (v/v) Triton-X® 100 (4-octylphenol polyethoxylate), with rotation for 1 hour at 4° C. Lysed cells were centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 min at 4° C. to eliminate debris and the supernatants were transferred to fresh siliconized tubes. Protein concentrations were measured by Bradford's method and resuspended in 1×SDS sample buffer at 1 mg/ml or higher concentration.

Supernatant containing 100 μg of protein was immunoprecipitated using 5 μg of anti-phosphotyrosine antibody attached to a sepharose bead (Zymed Laboratories, Inc., South San Francisco, Calif.). The immunoprecipitated product were subjected to Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 4, with the blots being probed for FGFR3 (Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Inc., Santa Cruz, Calif.). These experiments show that FGFR3 is phosphorylated upon either FGF2 or BoNT/A exposure, indicating that BoNT/A binds to FGFR3 (see FIG. 13 a).

2. DMBI Inhibition of FGFR-3 Phosphorylation Exposed to FGF

To determine whether DMBI inhibits BoNT/A-induced FGFR3 phosphorylation, Neuro-2A cells were plated and grown as described above in Example IX, 1. Neuro-2A cells were plated at a density of 5×10⁵ cells/well (6 well plate) and incubated overnight in serum-free media. The media was replaced with fresh serum-free supplemented EMEM containing 0, 1 μM, 5 μM, 20 μM, or 100 μM of DMBI (EMD Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif.) for 1 hour. DMBI inhibits the autophosphorylation and dimerization of FGFR and PDGF type receptors. The cells were then washed and fresh supplemented EMEM containing 1% FBS (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 5 nM FGF-2 (Biosource International, Camarillo, Calif.). The cells were then incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 5 min, 10 min and harvested and immunoprecipitated as described above in Example IX, 1. The immunoprecipitated products were subjected to Western blot analysis as described above in Example II, 4, with the exception that the blots were probed with a primary antibody solution containing a 1:1000 dilution of a rabbit polyclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antiserum (Upstate USA, Inc., Charlottesville, Va.) and a secondary antibody solution containing a 1:20,000 dilution of goat polyclonal anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G, heavy and light chains (IgG, H+L) antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (HRP; Pierce Biotechnology, Inc., Rockford, Ill.). These results indicate that DMBI effectively inhibits the phosphorylation of FGFR3 upon FGF2 exposure (see FIG. 13 b).

3. DMBI Inhibition of BoNT/A Activity

To determine whether DMBI can inhibit BoNT/A activity, Neuro-2A cells were plated and grown as described above in Example IX, 1. The media was replaced with fresh serum-free supplemented EMEM containing 0, 1 μM, 5 μM, 20 μM, or 100 μM of DMBI (EMD Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif.) for 1 hour. DMBI inhibits the autophosphorylation and dimerization of FGFR and PDGF type receptors. The cells were then washed and fresh supplemented EMEM containing 1% FBS (Invitrogen, Inc, Carlsbad, Calif.) and 5 nM of PURE/A (Metabiologics, Inc., Madison, Wis.). The cells were then incubated in a 37° C. incubator under 5% carbon dioxide for approximately 5 min, 10 min and harvested as described above in Example IX, 1. Aliquots were tested for the presence of the BoNT/A SNAP-25₁₉₇ cleavage product using the SNAP-25 cleavage assay as described above in Example I, 1 b. These results indicate a reduction in the amount of SNAP-25 cleavage product present, thereby indicating that DMBI effectively inhibits BoNT/A activity and confirming that this toxin in internalized by FGFR3 (see FIG. 13 c).

The examples provided herein are simply illustrations of various aspects of the invention, which is to be understood to be defined solely by the claims which follow this specification. 

1. A method of screening for a molecule able to compete with botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT/A) for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, the method comprising the steps of: a. contacting a sample containing a molecule with a composition comprising an FGFR3; and b. detecting whether said molecule selectively binds said FGFR3; wherein selective binding of said molecule to said FGFR3 indicates that said molecule is able to compete with BoNT/A for selective binding to cells susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, and wherein if said molecule is BoNT/A, said method does not comprise an LD₅₀ assay.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said contacting step is performed in vitro.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said contacting step is performed in vivo.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said FGFR3 is expressed on the surface of a cell.
 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said cell transiently contains an exogenous FGFR3.
 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein said cell stably contains an exogenous FGFR3.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said FGFR3 is a mammalian FGFR3.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said mammalian FGFR3 is a human FGFR3, a bovine FGFR3, a mouse FGFR3, or a rat FGFR3.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said FGFR3 is a bird FGFR3.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said bird FGFR3 is a chicken FGFR3.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said FGFR3 is an amphibian FGFR3.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said amphibian FGFR3 is a frog FGFR3 or a newt FGFR3.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said FGFR3 is a fish FGFR3.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said fish FGFR3 is a zebrafish FGFR3.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said composition further contains a G1b polysialoganglioside.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said polysialoganglioside is selected from the group consisting of GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GQ1b, or GT1b.
 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cell is a neuronal cell.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said neuronal cell is a primary neuronal cell or an immortalized neuronal cell.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein said neuronal cell is selected from the group consisting of a neuroblastoma cell, a neuronal hybrid cell, a spinal cord cell, a central nervous system cell, a cerebral cortex cell, a dorsal root ganglion cell, a hippocampal cell and a pheochromocytoma cell.
 20. The method according to claim 1, wherein said cell is a non-neuronal cell, said non-neuronal cell expressing an endogenous SNAP-25.
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said non-neuronal cell is a primary non-neuronal cell or an immortalized non-neuronal cell.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said non-neuronal cell is selected from the group consisting of an anterior pituitary cell, an adrenal cell, a pancreatic cell, an ovarian cell, a kidney cell, a stomach cell, a blood cell, an epithelial cell, a fibroblast, a thyroid cell, a chondrocyte, a muscle cell, a hepatocyte, a glandular cell.
 23. The method according to claim 1, wherein said molecule is BoNT/A.
 24. The method according to claim 1, wherein said molecule comprises a receptor binding domain of a BoNT/A heavy chain.
 25. The method according to claim 1, wherein said molecule is a molecule that selectively binds to the receptor binding domain of FGFR3 and is not BoNT/A
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein said molecule comprises an anti-FGFR3 antibody that binds to the receptor binding domain of FGFR3.
 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said molecule comprises a FGF that binds to the receptor binding domain of FGFR3.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said FGF molecule is selected from the group consisting of FGF1, FGF2, FGF4, FGF8 and FGF9.
 29. The method according to claim 1, wherein said molecule is a molecule that selectively binds to the receptor binding domain of FGFR3 and comprises a protease domain which cleaves a SNARE protein at a site other than that cleaved by BoNT/A light chain.
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein said protease domain comprises the active site of the light chain of a Clostridial toxin other than BoNT/A.
 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein said protease domain comprises the active site of the light chain of BoNT/E.
 32. A method of determining BoNT/A activity from a preparation comprising BoNT/A comprising the method of claim
 1. 